terminate

Definition

To end something, especially when left in an incomplete state.

Etymology

From Middle English terminaten (“to bring to an end; to adjudicate; to end, stop; to border, confine, contain”) from terminat(e) (“bounded”, also used as the past participle of terminaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin terminātus, perfect passive participle of terminō (“to set bounds to, bound, limit, end, close, terminate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from terminus (“a bound, limit, end”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see term, terminus. Doublet of termine, cognate with French terminer.

Example Sentences

• "to terminate a process before its completion"
• "to terminate an effort, or a controversy"
• "During this interval of calm and prosperity, he terminated two figures of slaves, destined for the tomb, in an incomparable style of art."

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