term

A word or phrase; an expression; particularly one which possesses a fixed and known meaning in some science, art, or profession. A fixed and definite period of time; implying a period of time with some definite termination. First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co. v. Conway Nat. Bank, App., 282 S.C. 303, 317 S.E.2d 776, 778.

Period of determined or prescribed duration. A specified period of time; e.g. term of lease, loan, contract, court session, public office, sentence. In civil law, a space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation. Bounds, limitation, or extent of time for which an estate is granted; as when a man holds an estate for any limited or specific number of years, which is called his "term," and he himself is called, with reference to the term he so holds, the "termor," or "tenant of the term." Word, phrase, or condition in a contract, instrument, or agreement which relates to a particular matter. U.C.C. No. 1-201(42).

See also open price term.

When used with reference to a court, signifies the space of time during which the court holds a session. A session signifies the time during the term when the court sits for the transaction of business, and the session commences when the court convenes for the term, and continues until final adjournment, either before or at the expiration of the term. The term of the court is the time prescribed by law during which it may be in session. The session of the court is the time of its actual sitting. But "term" and "session" are often used interchangeably.

See also session; and term of court, below.

@ general term

A phrase used in some jurisdictions to denote the ordinary session of a court, for the trial and determination of causes, as distinguished from a special term, for the hearing of motions or arguments or the despatch of various kinds of formal business, or the trial of a special list or class of cases. Or it may denote a sitting of the court in bane.

@ regular term

A term begun at the time appointed by law, and continued, in the discretion of the court, to such time as it may appoint, consistent with the law.

@ special term

In court practice in certain states, that branch of the court which is held by a single judge for hearing and deciding in the first instance motions and causes of equitable nature is called the "special term," as opposed to the "general term," held by three judges (usually) to hear appeals. Peculiar or unusual conditions imposed on a party before granting some application to the favor of the court

@ term attendant on the inheritance

See attendant terms

@ term bonds

A bond issue whose component bonds all mature at the same time. Contrast with "serial bonds."

See also bond

@ term fee

In English practice, a certain sum which a solicitor is entitled to charge to his client, and the client to recover, if successful, from the unsuccessful party; payable for every term in which any proceedings subsequent to the summons/shall take place

@ term for deliberating

The time given to the beneficiary heir, to examine if it be for his interest to accept or reject the succession which has fallen to him

@ term for years

An estate for years and the time during which such estate is to be held are each called a "term;" hence the term may expire before the time, as by a surrender

@ term in gross

A term of years is said to be either in gross (outstanding) or attendant upon the inheritance. It is outstanding, or in gross, when it is unattached or disconnected from the estate or inheritance, as where it is in the hands of some third party having no interest in the inheritance; it is attendant, when vested in some trustee in trust for the owner of the inheritance

@ term life insurance

See insurance

@ term loan

A loan with a specified maturity date, as opposed to a demand loan which is due whenever the lender requests payment

@ term of court

The period of time prescribed by law during which a court holds session. The Supreme Court sits in an annual term that begins on the first Monday in October and in recent years ordinarily has ended in the first week of July. The Court may also hold special terms as necessary. The U.S. district courts do not have formal terms, but rather the times for holding regular sessions are determined by local rules of the respective courts. 28 U.S.C.A. No.No. 2, 138, 139.

See also general term

- regular term

- special term, above

@ term of lease

The word "term," when used in connection with a lease, means the period which is granted for the lessee to occupy the premises, and does not include the time between the making of the lease and the tenant's entry. De Pauw University v. United Electric Coal Cos., 299 Ill.App. 339, 20 N.E.2d 146, 149

@ term of office

The period during which elected officer or appointee is entitled to hold office, perform its functions, and enjoy its privileges and emoluments

@ term probatory

The period of time allowed to the promoter of an ecclesiastical suit to produce his witnesses, and prove the facts on which he rests his case

@ term to conclude

In English ecclesiastical practice, an appointment by the judge of a time at which both parties are understood to renounce all further exhibits and allegations

@ term to propound all things

In English ecclesiastical practice, an appointment by the judge of a time at which both parties are to exhibit all the acts and instruments which make for their respective causes. Under terms. A party is said to be under terms when an indulgence is granted to him by the court in its discretion, on certain conditions. Thus, when an injunction is granted ex parte, the party obtaining it is put under terms to abide by such order as to damages as the court may make at the hearing

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