Term

In Construction. Word; expression; speech. Terms are words or characters by which we announce our sentiments, and make known to others things with which we are acquainted. These must be properly construed or interpreted in order to under stand the parties using them. In Contracts. The space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation. These are express terms, resulting from the positive stipulations of the agreement, as, where one undertakes to pay a certain sum on a certain day, and also terms which tacitly result from the nature of the things which are the object of the engagement, or from the place where the act is agreed to be done. For instance, if a builder engage to construct a house for me, I must allow a reasonable time for fulfilling his engagement.

1 Wis. 314.

In Estates. The limitation of an estate; as, a term for years, for life, and the like. The word "term" does not merely signify the time specified in the lease, but the estate, also, and interest that passes by that lease, and therefore the term may expire during the continuance of the time; as, by surrender, forfeiture, and the like.

2 Bl. Comm. 145; 8 Pick. (Mass.) 339. —

Of Court

The space of time during which a court holds a session. The stated periods during which courts sit for the dispatch of business. Sometimes the term is a monthly, at others it is a quarterly, period, according to the constitution of the court. TERM ATTENDANT ON THE INHERItance.

See Attendant Terms.