'fixed-term' originates from the combination of 'fixed,' meaning 'securely placed or fastened,' and 'term,' meaning 'a period of time.'

'Fixed' comes from the Latin word 'fixus,' meaning 'fastened,' and 'term' comes from the Latin word 'terminus,' meaning 'end' or 'boundary.'

Initially, 'fixed-term' referred to something securely placed for a specific period, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.