< /ˈdeɪ tə, ˈdæt ə, ˈdɑ tə/ for 1–3, da·tums for 4, 5.
- 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.
noun plural -ta (-tə)
- a single piece of information; fact
- a proposition taken for granted, often in order to construct some theoretical framework upon it; a givenSee also sense datum
proper Latin singular of data (q.v.).