Terms Meaning
Terms Definition & Usage
Words or expressions that have a specific meaning, often used in technical, legal, or formal contexts.
Examples
- "The lawyer explained the legal terms of the contract to the clients."
- "We need to clarify the terms of the agreement before proceeding."
- "The textbook uses technical terms that are hard to understand for beginners."
- "In our business, it’s important to use precise terms when discussing pricing."
- "She carefully read the terms and conditions before accepting the offer."
A fixed period of time or duration.
Examples
- "The school board agreed to the terms of the new contract for a five-year period."
- "He was given a one-year term to complete the project."
- "The team was on a 90-day term to finish their task."
- "She signed a three-year term with the company."
- "The candidate served a four-year term as mayor."
Conditions or stipulations attached to an agreement or contract.
Examples
- "The terms of the lease include a rent increase after the first year."
- "Negotiating the terms of a partnership is a crucial step in business."
- "The company revised the terms of the employee benefits package."
- "The terms of the loan required the borrower to make monthly payments."
- "We had to agree to the terms of the settlement before it could proceed."
To define or explain the meaning of something.
Examples
- "The professor terms this phenomenon as 'quantum entanglement'."
- "In the meeting, they termed the new policy as a step toward progress."
- "He termed the idea revolutionary and forward-thinking."
- "The report terms this event as a turning point in the company’s history."
- "I would term this experience as both challenging and rewarding."
Cultural Context
The word 'terms' has a deep historical connection to agreements, contracts, and defining conditions. Originating from Latin 'terminus', meaning a boundary or limit, it is now used broadly to refer to the language used in contracts and the conditions in various kinds of agreements. It is heavily used in legal and business contexts, especially in international settings.
The Fine Print
Story
The Fine Print
It was the last meeting of the year for the startup company, and everyone was eager to sign the new agreement. Maya, the CEO, stood at the head of the conference table, papers in hand, her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. ‘Now, let's go over the terms once more,’ she said, flipping through the legal document. ‘The payment schedule is clear, and the product delivery terms are agreed upon.’ As she scanned the page, Tim, the CFO, raised his hand. ‘Just to confirm, these terms include the clauses about late fees and service guarantees, correct?’ Maya nodded. ‘Yes, everything’s covered. Now, we need to settle on the term length for this contract. I’m suggesting five years.’ Sasha, the lead developer, looked up from her phone. ‘I’m good with that, but what about the termination clause? How do we handle that if something goes wrong?’ Maya paused. ‘That’s clearly outlined in the document. We’ve set a two-year review term for adjustments. If either party wants to change the terms before then, we’ll renegotiate.’ Tim smiled. ‘Sounds fair. Let’s not forget that the terms on severance and intellectual property ownership are still in place from the original draft.’ As everyone nodded in agreement, Maya turned to her assistant. ‘Please finalize the terms and send them over for signatures.’ The deal was done. It had taken months of negotiations, but now everything was in place. Each person in the room understood the importance of these terms, how they defined their relationship with their partners, and how they shaped the future of the business. As Maya signed her name at the bottom of the document, she couldn't help but think about how much power was contained within those simple words — terms — that had determined the direction of the company. In the days that followed, as the new contract was put into action, each term became a living part of the company’s operations. From payment schedules to intellectual property agreements, each decision made under the umbrella of those terms would have lasting consequences. And while the legalities might have seemed mundane, the truth was, these terms had the power to make or break their future success.
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