terminator

[ tur-muh-ney-ter ]

/ ˈtɜr məˌneɪ tər /

a person or thing that terminates.

Astronomy. the dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of a satellite or planet, especially the moon.

Origin of terminator

1760–70; < Late Latin terminātor, equivalent to terminā(re) to terminate + -tor -tor

You know, James Cameron: the director of The Terminator, True Lies, Titanic, and Avatar, among other obscure movies.

James Cameron Dives into the Ocean's Abyss |Andrew Romano |July 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Queen Victoria had the reputation of being a humorless, dour battleaxe, a Terminator in bombazine.

The Cult of Royal Porn |Tim Teeman |April 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Most of the Schwarzenegger movies currently in development are throwbacks to his glory days: Terminator: Genesis.

Is This the End of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Comeback? |Andrew Romano |March 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The Terminator was the second feature film James Cameron had directed, and was his first hit.

The Week in Nostalgia: ‘Halloween’ Turns 35, Butch and Sundance Debut, and the iPod is Born (VIDEO) |Chancellor Agard |October 26, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

After surprising box office success, The Terminator would go on to spawn three sequels.

The Week in Nostalgia: ‘Halloween’ Turns 35, Butch and Sundance Debut, and the iPod is Born (VIDEO) |Chancellor Agard |October 26, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Professor Sykes reports seeing a distinct flash of light upon the terminator, or margin of light.

Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930 |Various
The general shape of this line is never a circle but always elliptical, and astronomers call it the terminator.

Astronomy |David Todd
They would certainly be indicated on the terminator, and yet not a trace of such markings has been found.

Mars and its Mystery |Edward Sylvester Morse
The liberation of the tiny planet and consequent shifting of the terminator was bringing frigidity to Vulcan's Workshop.

Vulcan's Workshop |Harl Vincent
In fact, he can scarcely do more than note her varying phases (see 82Plate 6) and the somewhat uneven boundary of the terminator.

Half-hours with the Telescope |Richard A. Proctor

terminator

/ (ˈtɜːmɪˌneɪtə) /

the line dividing the illuminated and dark part of the moon or a planet