TERM, in logic, means the subject or predicate of a judgment (or proposition). It is, however, commonly used in a much wider sense so as to include also any word or combination of words that is capable of being used as the subject or predicate of a proposition. Of the different kinds of terms usually distinguished, the following are the most important. (a) Connotative terms are those which have a standard (or conventionally fixed) meaning. In this sense practically all terms except proper names are conno tative. Non-connotative terms have no such fixed meaning. It is usual to restrict this distinction to concrete terms, on merely etymological grounds. (b) Positive terms are those which primarily indicate or suggest the presence of something (though indirectly they may also imply the absence of something). Nega tive terms primarily indicate the absence of something (though indirectly, and perhaps rather vaguely, they may also imply the presence of something). (c) Singular terms are such as are appli cable in the same sense to one object only (or to one group treated as one object). General terms are those which can be applied in the same sense to any one of a class (or kind) of ob jects. (d) Concrete terms are those which denote anything that can be regarded as a whole having attributes and standing in various relations, even if it is not tangible (e.g., mind, character. logic, as well as table, chair, etc.). Abstract terms are the names of some attribute, aspect or relationship considered apart from the things in which it exists (e.g., size, beauty, friendship, etc.). (e) Relative terms are those the special function of which it is to draw attention to some definite relationship in which the object named stands to some other object (e.g., husband, wife, partner, etc.). Absolute terms are those which have no such special func tion, although the things named will as a matter of fact stand in all sorts of relationships to other things (e.g., John Smith, table, chair, etc.). Relative terms usually go in pairs, for every relation ship requires at least two terms—"parent" and "child," "brother" and "brother" (or "sister"), and so on. (f ) Collective terms de note groups of similar separate units as groups (e.g., "army," "company," "library," etc.). Non-collective (or unitary) terms denote units that are not groups of similar separate units (e.g., "table," "chair," "house," etc.).
Of the above classifications or distinctions the first (a) is mainly concerned with verbal terms or names. The others are
primarily concerned with differences in the way in which we think about things, even the same things it may be. Sometimes a thing is regarded in all its individuality (as singular) ; sometimes as one of a kind (general) ; sometimes it is considered in relation to something else (relative) ; sometimes for its own sake (absolute) ; sometimes we think of what a thing is (positive), and sometimes of what it is not (negative) ; and so on. (See LoGic and the bibliography given there.) A Term of Years, in English law, is the time during which an interest in an estate for life or for years is enjoyed, also the interest itself, because such an interest must determine at a definite time. If the interest be for life, it is an estate of freehold; if for years, only a personal interest in real estate, and so person alty, even though the length of the term—for instance, i,000 years—may far exceed in duration any possible life estate. (See the Law of Property Act, 1925.) The same act gives power to en large the unexpired residue of a term of 200 years in certain cases into the fee simple, and the Places of Worship (Enfranchisement) Act 192o gives power to enlarge leases for lives or even 21 years.
There were four terms, Hilary, Easter, Trinity, Michaelmas, the average duration of each being about three weeks. By the Judicature Act of 1873 terms were abolished so far as related to the administration of justice and sittings substituted. The dining terms at the Inns of Court correspond in point of time with the old terms and not with the sittings.
At the University of Cambridge the academic year is divided into three terms, Michaelmas, Lent and Easter; while at the University of Oxford there are four terms in the year, Michaelmas, Hilary, Easter and Trinity. School years now generally consist of three terms, divided by Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays, the old half-years having gradually been abolished.