terminate

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtəːmɪneɪt/

verb

  • 1 [with object] bring to an end: he was advised to terminate the contract
  • end (a pregnancy) before term by artificial means.
  • [no object] (of a train, bus, or boat service) end its journey: the train will terminate at Stratford
  • chiefly North American end the employment of (someone); dismiss: Adamson’s putting pressure on me to terminate you
  • euphemistic, chiefly North American murder (someone): he was terminated by persons unknown
  • 2 [no object] (terminate in) (of a thing) have its end at (a specified place) or of (a specified form): the chain terminated in an iron ball covered with spikes
  • [with object] archaic form the physical end or extremity of (an area).

Phrases

terminate someone with extreme prejudice

euphemistic, chiefly US murder someone.

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'direct an action towards a specified end'): from Latin terminat- 'limited, ended', from the verb terminare, from terminus 'end, boundary'