terminal

1. hardware An electronic or electromechanical device for

entering data into a computer or a communications system and

displaying data received. Early terminals were called

teletypes, later ones VDUs. Typically a terminal

communicates with the computer via a serial line.

2. electronics The end of a line where signals are either

transmitted or received, or a point along the length of a line

where the signals are made available to apparatus.

3. electronics Apparatus to send and/or receive signals on a

line.

(1995-10-02)