terminal
UK: ˈtɜːmɪnəl | US: ˈtɜːrmɪnəl
n. 1. An endpoint or station in a transportation network (e.g., bus terminal).
n. 2. A device for entering or displaying data in a computer system.
adj. 1. Relating to or situated at the end of something.
adj. 2. (Of a disease) leading gradually to death.
The word terminal traces back to Latin terminus, meaning "boundary" or "end point." The suffix -inalis (later simplified to -inal) was added to form an adjective, originally describing something "pertaining to an end." Over time, it expanded to denote physical endpoints (e.g., transportation hubs) and figurative limits (e.g., fatal illnesses). The computing sense emerged in the mid-20th century, metaphorically representing an "endpoint" for data input/output.
The airport’s international terminal was bustling with travelers.
She works as a clerk at the train terminal.
The doctor diagnosed the illness as terminal.
Connect the cable to the terminal of the battery.
The command prompt opened in the terminal window.