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View synonyms for datum
datum
[ dey-tuhm, dat-uhm, dah-tuhm ]
noun
, plural da·ta [dey, -t, uh, dat, -, uh, dah, -t, uh] da·tums
- a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.
- Philosophy.
- any fact assumed to be a matter of direct observation.
- any proposition assumed or given, from which conclusions may be drawn.
- Also called sense datum. Epistemology. the object of knowledge as presented to the mind. Compare ideatum.
- Surveying, Civil Engineering. any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.
- 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.
datum
/ ˈdeɪtəm; ˈdɑːtəm /
noun
- a single piece of information; fact
- a proposition taken for granted, often in order to construct some theoretical framework upon it; a given See also sense datum
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Usage Note
See data.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of datum1
First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin: “a thing given,” neuter past participle of dare “to give”
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Word History and Origins
Origin of datum1
C17: from Latin: something given; see data
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Example Sentences
Beinart is upset with me for asking "what is the point of this datum?"
From The Daily Beast
The shaded rectangles represent the distribution of shear due to the load at C, while no may be termed the datum line of shear.
From Project Gutenberg
It is clear, in the first place, that there can be no datum apart from a belief.
From Project Gutenberg
What he observes is, at the stage of science which he has reached, a datum for his science.
From Project Gutenberg
But in each case it is only the sensation that ought, in strictness, to be called a datum.
From Project Gutenberg
Each new datum adds to our knowledge, which cannot run ahead of that which produces it.
From Project Gutenberg
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