terminus ad quem

English

Etymology

From Latin terminus (“limit”) + ad (“up to”) + quem (“which”), the accusative of quī (“what”). Literally meaning “the limit up until which”.

Noun

terminus ad quem (plural termini ad quos)

1. the latest possible date of a non-punctual event (period, era, etc.)
2. an objective or goal
   • 1915, William Campbell, Sketches from Formosa‎^[1], Marshall Brothers Limited, page 31:

     What I do regret is the non-intelligent and almost superstitious way in which baptism is still regarded by many of our people. They think of it too much as a mere terminus ad quem which should call forth their energies up till the time it is obtained, and then leaves them waiting to see what sort of substantial worldly good may afterwards come along.

Related terms

• terminus ante quem
• terminus post quem
• terminus a quo