Reading Theme:
Terminal Definition, Usage & Examples Explained (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：airport passenger building (terminal)
terminal
/ˈtɜːrmɪnl/
n.
A large building at an airport where passengers go to get on or get off their flights.
airport passenger building
➕
/ˈeərpɔːrt ˈpæsɪndʒər ˈbɪldɪŋ/
n.
A large structure at an airport where passengers board or disembark from aircraft.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'terminus', meaning boundary or end.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'terminate' (to end); a terminal is where things end or connect.
📖 Example
We said our goodbyes at the terminal before she passed through security to catch her international flight.
We bid farewell at the airport terminal before she proceeded through security for her international flight.
🔗 Collocations
airport terminal – the building at an airport for passenger services
bus terminal – a station where buses start and end their routes
train terminal – the main station for train departures and arrivals
🔄 Synonyms
airport building (n.) – a structure at an airport for passenger handling
depot (n.) – a place for storing or starting transportation vehicles
station (n.) – a place where vehicles stop for passengers
🌱 Derivatives
terminally (adv.) – in a manner relating to an end or terminus
terminality (n.) – the state of being terminal
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'terminus' (end/boundary), 'terminal' evolved to denote endpoints in contexts like transportation hubs and computer interfaces, reflecting its core idea of a final point.
Meaning 2：computer input/output device (terminal)
terminal
/ˈtɜːrmɪnl/
n.
A device with a keyboard and screen used to send commands to and receive information from a large computer or network.
computer input/output device
➕
/kəmˈpjuːtər ˈɪnpʊt ˈaʊtpʊt dɪˈvaɪs/
n.
A device with a keyboard and screen used to interact with a computer or network.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The librarian showed me how to use the public terminal to search for books in the online catalog.
The librarian instructed me on using the public computer terminal to search the online book catalog.
🔗 Collocations
computer terminal – a device for accessing a computer system
terminal emulator – software that mimics a hardware terminal
dumb terminal – a terminal with minimal processing power
🔄 Synonyms
console (n.) – a panel or device for controlling a machine
workstation (n.) – a computer setup for individual use
interface (n.) – a point of interaction between systems
Meaning 3：incurable fatal illness (terminal)
terminal
/ˈtɜːrmɪnl/
n.
Describes an illness that is very serious and cannot be cured, and will lead to death.
incurable fatal illness
➕
/ɪnˈkjʊrəbəl ˈfeɪtl ˈɪlnəs/
n.
Describes a disease that is serious, incurable, and leads to death.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After the diagnosis of a terminal illness, the family focused on making the patient as comfortable and happy as possible.
Following the diagnosis of a fatal illness, the family concentrated on providing comfort and happiness to the patient.
🔗 Collocations
terminal illness – a disease that cannot be cured and will cause death
terminal patient – a person suffering from a terminal illness
terminal care – medical care for patients with terminal conditions
🔄 Synonyms
fatal disease (n.) – an illness that results in death
incurable condition (n.) – a medical state with no cure
life-threatening illness (n.) – a disease that poses a risk to life
🚫 Antonyms
curable disease (n.) – an illness that can be treated and healed
benign condition (n.) – a non-threatening medical state
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