Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

termcap
     
         (terminal capabilities) A {Unix} database
        listing different types of terminal (or {terminal emulation})
        and the character {strings} to send to make the terminal
        perform certain functions such as move the {cursor} up one
        line or clear the screen.
     
        Programs written using termcap can work on any terminal in the
        database which supports the necessary functions.  Typical
        programs are {text editors} or file viewers like {more}.  The
        termcap routines look for an {environment variable} "TERM" to
        determine which terminal the user is using.
     
        {terminfo} is a later version of termcap.
     
        (1998-10-30)