1.
final stage, terminal phase, end period
The last stage or closing period of something, whether a historical era, a process, or a disease. Often implies decline or approaching end.
江戸時代の末期に開国した。
Japan opened its borders in the final period of the Edo era.
末期がんと診断された。
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
ローマ帝国の末期は政治が混乱していた。
Politics were in turmoil in the final period of the Roman Empire.
USAGE:
Used as a noun modifier: 末期の or as a prefix: 末期がん (terminal cancer). Very common in both historical contexts (the final period of an era) and medical contexts (terminal stage of a disease). Also read as まつご in the compound 末期の水 (water given to a dying person).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 末期がん: terminal cancer
- 末期症状: terminal symptoms
- ～時代の末期: final period of the ~ era
- 末期的: end-stage, decadent