Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

datum

 - 2 dictionary results

da⋅tum

  [dey-tuhm, dat-uhm, dah-tuhm]
Use datum in a Sentence
–noun, plural da⋅ta  [dey-tuh, dat-uh, dah-tuh] for 1–3, da⋅tums for 4, 5.
1. a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.
2. Philosophy.
a. any fact assumed to be a matter of direct observation.
b. any proposition assumed or given, from which conclusions may be drawn.
3. Also called sense datum. Epistemology. the object of knowledge as presented to the mind. Compare ideatum.
4. Surveying, Civil Engineering. any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.
5. Surveying. a basis for horizontal control surveys, consisting of the longitude and latitude of a certain point, the azimuth of a certain line from this point, and two constants used in defining the terrestrial spheroid.
Origin:
1640–50; < L: a thing given, neut. ptp. of dare to give

Usage note:
See data.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To datum
da·tum   (dā'təm, dāt'əm, dä'təm)   
n.  

  1. pl. da·ta (-tə) A fact or proposition used to draw a conclusion or make a decision. See Usage Note at data.

  2. pl. da·tums A point, line, or surface used as a reference, as in surveying, mapping, or geology.


[Latin, something given, from neuter past participle of dare, to give; see dō- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see datum on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way