In American practice. This term is sometimes used, by metonymy, to denote a time or season in the judicial year when motions may be made and rules taken, as special terms or argument-days, or even the vacations, as distinguished from the regular terms of the courts for the trial of causes; and, by a further extension of its meaning, it may denote proceedings in an action taken out of court. Thus, “an ir- regularity committed at rules may be corrected at the next term of the court.” South- all’s Adm’r v. Exchange Bank, 12 Grat. (Va.) 312.