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☞ The Hilary term is superseded by the Hilary sittings, which commence on the eleventh of January and end on the Wednesday before Easter.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 ]