Definition of: end

(end) noun
1. The terminal point or part of any material object that has length.
2. The part of an object that is near either extremity.
3. The point in time at which some process ceases; hence, the conclusion of any work or operation.
4. The farthest limit of the space occupied by any extended object.
5. The purpose in view.
6. An inevitable or natural consequence.
7. The close of life.
8. A fragment; remnant.
9. A player stationed at the end of a line, as in football.
10. In archery, a unit of shooting toward a butt; in England, three arrows; in the United States, six.
—at loose ends In an unsettled or confused state.
—in the end At last.
—to the end that In order that.
—v.t.
1. To bring to a finish or termination; conclude.
2. To be the end of.
3. To cause the death of; kill.
—v.i.
4. To come to an end.
5. To die. [OE ende] Synonyms (noun): accomplishment, achievement, bound, boundary, cessation, close, completion, conclusion, consequence, consummation, design, effect, expiration, extent, extremity, finale, finis, finish, fulfilment, goal, intent, issue, limit, outcome, period, point, purpose, result, termination, terminus, tip, utmost, uttermost. The end is the terminal part of a material object that has length; the extremity is distinctively the terminal point, and may thus be but part of the end in the general sense of that word; the extremity is viewed as that which is most remote from some center, or some mean or standard position; the southern end of South America includes all Patagonia, the southern extremity or point is Cape Horn. Tip has nearly the same meaning as extremity, but is said of small or slight and tapering objects; as, the tip of the finger; point in such connections is said of that which is drawn out to exceeding fineness or sharpness, as the point of a needle, a fork, or a sword; extremity is said of something considerable; we do not speak of the extremity of a needle. A goal is an end sought or striven for, as in a race. For the figurative senses of end and its associated words, compare the synonyms for the verb END; also for AIM, CONSEQUENCE, DESIGN, EVENT, PURPOSE, REASON. Antonyms: see synonyms for BEGINNING. Synonyms (verb): cease, close, complete, conclude, desist, expire, finish, quit, terminate, top. That ends, or is ended, of which there is no more, whether or not more was intended or needed; that is closed, completed, concluded, or finished which has come to an expected or appropriate end. A tumult in the audience may cause a speech to be ended when it is neither closed, completed, nor finished, nor, in the strict sense, concluded. An argument may be closed with nothing proved; when an argument is concluded all that is deemed necessary to prove the point has been stated. To finish is to do the last thing there is to do. To terminate may be to bring either to an arbitrary or to an appropriate end; as, He terminated his remarks abruptly; The spire terminates in a cross. A thing stops that comes to rest from motion; or the motion stops or ceases when the object comes to rest; stop frequently signifies to bring or come to a sudden and decided cessation of motion, progress, or action of any kind. Compare ABOLISH, CEASE, EFFECT, FINISH, TRANSACT. Antonyms: commence, found, inaugurate, initiate, institute, open, originate, start, undertake. Compare INSTITUTE (verb).