preterminal

adjective

pre·​ter·​mi·​nal (ˌ)prē-ˈtərm-nəl 

-ˈtər-mə-

: occurring or being in the period prior to death

preterminal cancer

a preterminal patient

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

preterminal

adjective

pre·​ter·​mi·​nal -ˈtərm-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

1

: occurring or being in the period prior to death

preterminal cancer

a preterminal patient

2

: situated or occurring anterior to an end (as of a nerve)

preterminal axons