Formerly, one of the four terms of the courts of common law in England, beginning on the eleventh of January and ending on the thirty-first of the same month, in each year; -- so called from the festival of St. Hilary, January 13th. [1913 Webster]
" The Hilary term is superseded by the Hilary sittings, which commence on the eleventh of January and end on the Wednesday before Easter." Mozley & W. [1913 Webster]

hilary term, n. Brit. the university term beginning in January, esp. at Oxford.

Etymology:
Hilarius bishop of Poitiers d. 367, with a festival on 13 Jan.

academic term, carry to term, degree of a term, full term, hilary clinton, hilary rodham clinton, long term, major term, middle term, minor term, presidential term, prison term, school term, sea term, slang term, term, term day, term infant, term insurance, term of a contract, term of enlistment, term of office, term paper, term policy, vice-presidential term