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term
/tɜːm/
The word operates across three distinct conceptual domains: language, time, and law. In a linguistic context, it refers to specialized vocabulary. Unlike 'word', which is general, a 'term' implies a level of precision or technicality associated with a specific field (e.g., legal terms, medical terms). When referring to time, it describes a boundary. It is not just a duration, but a defined period with a clear start and end, often tied to institutional cycles like school semesters or political mandates. In contractual contexts, 'terms' (usually plural) represent the rules of engagement. It carries a connotation of obligation and formality, shifting the focus from a simple agreement to a set of enforceable requirements. As a verb, it is more formal than 'call'. To 'term' something is to categorize or label it officially, often implying a judgment or a professional classification.
💬Trò chuyện
Did David actually specify a long-term contract or just a short term?
He was super vague. I'm basically winging it until he signs something.
Ý nghĩa
A word or phrase used to describe a thing or to express a concept, especially in a particular subject of study.
"The medical term for the collarbone is the clavicle."
A fixed or limited period for which something lasts.
"The president serves a four-year term in office."
Conditions that are specified or agreed upon in a contract or agreement.
"Please read the terms and conditions before signing the document."
Ví dụ
Look, I just don't understand this technical term at all!
Wait, is your term of office actually ending tomorrow?
I can't believe you're ignoring the terms of our lease!
Stop calling it a 'glitch'; I term it a disaster!
The school term is finally over, thank goodness.
Listen, these contract terms are absolutely ridiculous!
Is 'acute' the right medical term for this pain?
I wouldn't exactly term that a successful first date.
He's just finishing his second term as the board chair.
You can't just change the terms mid-game, man!
Cụm từ kết hợp
terms and conditions
The specific requirements and rules agreed upon in a legal contract.
midterm term
The middle period of an academic semester or political tenure.
technical term
A word used with a specific meaning within a particular profession or field.
fixed term
A predetermined length of time for a contract or appointment.
long-term
Occurring over or relating to a long period of time.
Thành ngữ & Tục ngữ
in the long term
Over a long period of time; eventually.
in the short term
Over a brief period of time; immediately.
on good terms
Having a friendly or cordial relationship with someone.
come to terms with
To gradually accept a sad or difficult situation.
terms of endearment
Words or phrases used to express affection for someone.
Bối cảnh văn hóa
Human consciousness is fundamentally tied to our ability to store information over a long term. In the realm of neuropsychology, the distinction between short-term and long-term memory isn't just a technicality; it is the very mechanism that allows us to possess a coherent identity. While short-term memory acts as a fleeting scratchpad—holding a phone number for ten seconds or a grocery list for a few minutes—long-term memory is the vast, architectural library of our existence.
What makes this truly fascinating is the process of consolidation. When a memory moves from a transient state to a long term storage system, it doesn't simply 'save' like a file on a hard drive. Instead, the brain physically rewires itself through long-term potentiation (LTP), strengthening the synapses between neurons. This means that every time you remember a childhood home or a first love, you aren't playing a video recording; you are reconstructing a neural path.
This reconstruction is where the 'paradox' enters. Because our memories are reconstructed rather than replayed, they are subject to change. Every time we recall a specific term from our past or a detailed event, we risk altering the original memory based on our current emotions and beliefs. We essentially rewrite our own history in real-time.
The psychological weight of this is immense. If we lost our long-term memory—as seen in severe cases of anterograde amnesia—we would be trapped in a permanent 'now,' unable to form new bonds or learn from mistakes. Our sense of self is not found in the present moment, but in the accumulation of these enduring traces. We are, quite literally, the sum of the information we have managed to keep for the long term, making our memories both the foundation of our sanity and a beautifully unreliable narrator.