Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

fatal error
     
         Any {error} which causes
        abrupt {termination} of the program.  The program may be
        terminated either by itself or by the {operating system} (a
        "{fatal exception}").  In the former instance, the program
        contains code which catches the error and, as a result,
        returns to the operating system or calls an operating system
        service to terminate the program.
     
        (1997-08-03)