Terminus, n.; pl. Termini.
Etymology: [L. See Term.]
1. Literally, a boundary; a border; a limit.
2. (Myth.)
The Roman divinity who presided over boundaries, whose statue was properly a short pillar terminating in the bust of a man, woman, satyr, or the like, but often merely a post or stone stuck in the ground on a boundary line.
3. Hence, any post or stone marking a boundary; a term. See Term, 8.
1 more senses
4. Either end of a railroad line; also, the station house, or the town or city, at that place.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for terminus; he lists it under end.
Where he writes about it:
Terminus is chiefly used to designate the end of a line of travel or transportation: specifically, the furthermost station in any direction on a railway, or by extension the town or village where it is situated. — from end
Exterminate (L. ex, out, and terminus, a boundary) signified primarily to drive beyond the bounds or limits of a country; the word is applied to races of men or animals, and is now almost exclusively used for removal by death; individuals are now said to be banished or expelled. — from exterminate