nonterminal

adjective

non·​ter·​mi·​nal ˌnän-ˈtərm-nəl How to pronounce nonterminal (audio)
-ˈtər-mə-nᵊl
: not terminal: such as
a
: not leading ultimately to death : not fatal
a nonterminal illness
b
: not approaching or close to death : not being in the final stages of a fatal disease
nonterminal patients
nonterminally adjective
nonterminally ill

Examples of nonterminal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Problems can arise, however, when they are prescribed for prolonged periods to treat nonterminal chronic pain. Keith Humphreys, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2018 Opioids are often not the best way to manage pain, especially chronic, nonterminal pain: patients often need help changing patterns of work, stress, exercise, and diet. Mark A. R. Kleiman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonterminal was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near nonterminal

Cite this Entry

“Nonterminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonterminal. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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