What Is Terminal?
A terminal is the end of a stroke that does not finish in a serif — the tip of the arm on an "f" or the tail of a "y." Terminals can be flat, rounded (ball terminals), tapered, or sheared. Their shape is a subtle but powerful clue to a typeface's personality.
Ball terminals — small round endings — are a hallmark of certain serif styles and lend a font a refined, slightly decorative feel.
Sans-serif terminals are often cut flat or at an angle; the chosen angle affects whether a face feels mechanical or humanist.