terminal
1. An electronic or electromechanical device for
entering data into a computer or a communications system and
displaying data received. Early terminals were called
{teletype}s, later ones {VDU}s. Typically a terminal
communicates with the computer via a {serial line}.
2. 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. Apparatus to send and/or receive signals on a
{line}.
(1995-10-02)