I decided to start a separate topic for this, because it's a globally applicable subject.

Lately, the term, "node", has been slung about quite casually. It is most often meant as a junction--the meeting of two or more roads (segments). (As defined in the wiki glossary since 2010)

However, sometimes "node" is used to mean what is currently referred to as a "Geonode" (formerly "handle", as well). Sometimes it means the point at the end of a dead-end....

In fact, the Glossary currently indicates there are no less than five possible usages for the term, "node". A forum post from 2011 quotes the glossary at that time as defining a node as what we currently call a geonode. This has obviously been a slippery subject over time.

I move that it's time for some fundamental clarification, and a more precise definition and usage of "node" and different terminology for the "other usages".

bgodette in another thread, makes a case for "geonodes" to be called Geometry Points (perhaps, "geopoints", in shorthand, which I rather like).

There are other discrepancies due to terminology developed before the understanding of the code, but I'll let bgodette speak to these directly, if he wishes, so as not to put any words in his mouth. It may or may not be worth dislodging the current terms, but that should be up to the community.

I just think it would be nice to be able to communicate about things without having to wonder, or possibly misinterpret, what someone means when they use a multi-purpose term.