Why use "term" and not "word"

[Patriotdiscussions]

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/7701

In the definitions page we find that instead of defining words,it defines "terms".

Can anyone explain why?

Blacks 4th

TERM . A word or phrase; an expression; particularly one which possesses a fixed or known meaning in some science, art,
or profession

Webster 1828

TERM. 1. A limit; a bound or boundary; the extremity of anything; that which limits it extent.

Are these definitions correct? Does the use of term limit the words of art after its use?

[wserra]

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/7701

In the definitions page we find that instead of defining words,it defines "terms".
Can anyone explain why?

Because several of the "terms" that 26 USC § 7701 defines - "Secretary of the Treasury", “military or naval forces of the United States”, “Armed Forces of the United States”, "withholding agent", "international organization", “domestic building and loan association”, many others - consist of more than one word. Master of the bleedin' obvious.

Now, I'm sure that you have some conspiratorial explanation born of a room-temperature IQ, but you'll have to find some unsuspecting forum on which to inflict it.