- end
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English ende, from Old English; akin to Old High German enti end, Latin ante before, Greek anti against
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. the part of an area that lies at the boundary
b.
(1) a point that marks the extent of something
(2) the point where something ceases to exist <world without end> c. the extreme or last part lengthwise ; tip d. the terminal unit of something spatial that is marked off by units e. a player stationed at the extremity of a line (as in football) 2. a. cessation of a course of action, pursuit, or activity b. death, destruction c. (1) the ultimate state (2) result, issue 3. something incomplete, fragmentary, or undersized ; remnant 4. a. an outcome worked toward ; purpose <the end of poetry is to be poetry — R. P. Warren> b. the object by virtue of or for the sake of which an event takes place 5. a. a share in an undertaking <kept your end up> b. a particular operation or aspect of an undertaking or organization <the sales end of the business> 6. something that is extreme ; ultimate — used with the 7. a period of action or turn in any of various sports events (as archery or lawn bowling) Synonyms: see intention • ended adjective II. verb Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to bring to an end b. destroy 2. to make up the end of <a wedding scene ends the film> intransitive verb 1. a. to come to an end <the meeting will end at noon> b. to reach a specified ultimate rank, situation, or place — usually used with up <ended up as a colonel> 2. die Synonyms: see close III. adjective Date: 13th century final, ultimate <end results> <end markets> IV. transitive verb Etymology: probably alteration of English dialect in to harvest Date: 1607 dialect England to put (grain or hay) into a barn or stack
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.