noun
terminator
TUR-mih-nay-tuh
noun
1
A person or thing that ends or destroys something.
"The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line."
2
The line dividing the day side and night side of a planet or moon.
"Photos from orbit clearly show the terminator crossing the lunar surface."
3
A device fitted at the end of a cable or transmission line to absorb signals and stop reflection.
"The network cable needed a terminator at its final connection point."
How to Use Terminator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that ends or destroys — used technically for the day/night line on a planet and for cable-end devices, and popularly for the movie character.
Word Forms
terminators plural
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The virus acted as a _____ of the failing cell line.
Etymology
From terminate + -or; the "killer android" sense is a direct reference to the 1984 film The Terminator.