To surrender according to terms is to...

To surrender according to terms is best captured by the concept of capitulation. Capitulation implies that a party concedes and agrees to the conditions laid out by the opposing side, often following a negotiation or understanding. This action typically signifies an acknowledgment of defeat while allowing for certain conditions to be met, ensuring a structured ending to a conflict or disagreement.

In military or conflict contexts, capitulation often involves a formal agreement where the surrendering party may retain some rights or benefits as agreed upon with the victor. This distinguishes it from simply retreating, which suggests a withdrawal without the formalities of negotiation, and from defying, which indicates an outright resistance against terms. Maintaining, on the other hand, implies continuing one's position without surrendering or negotiating terms at all, which is contrary to the act of surrendering. Thus, capitulate accurately conveys the essence of surrendering under agreed terms.