terminably

Terminably is an adverb meaning in a manner that can be terminated; capable of ending or having an end, i.e., finite in duration. It is the adverbial form of the adjective terminable.

Etymology: Terminably derives from terminable, which comes from Late Latin terminabilis, from Latin terminus end or boundary, with the suffix -able to form an adjective and -ly to form the adverb.

Usage: The term is relatively rare in modern English and is most often found in formal, legal, or scholarly prose. It is used to indicate that a term, condition, or status has a defined end point or finite duration, as opposed to being indefinite. In everyday language, speakers typically express the idea with phrases like for a finite period or for a limited duration, rather than terminably.

Comparison: Terminably is closely related to terminable. While terminable describes the thing that can be ended, terminably describes the manner or degree to which something is endable. In many contexts, simpler constructions using finite, limited, or for a fixed term are preferred in contemporary usage.

Examples: The license was terminably valid for five years. The contract is terminably renewable, subject to annual review. The policy is terminably contingent on achieving certain milestones.

See also: terminable, termination, finite, indefinite, expiry.