datum

n.

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

A single item of data.

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The singular form of data; for example, one datum. It is rarely used, and data, its plural form, is commonly used for both singular and plural.

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In Geographic Information Systems, the fixed starting point of a scale or co-ordinate system. See also ordnance datum.

A level surface or point to which other levels are related; a reference in measuring elevations.

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(Latin, what is given) A piece of evidence considered as fixed for the purpose in hand. What is taken as a datum may change as changes of theory and evidence arise. Something would be absolutely a datum if it were incorrigible, but many theorists of knowledge tend to be nervous about regarding anything as absolutely given, for although some things may serve as a basis for particular enquiries, this does not protect them from eventual challenge. See epistemology, protocol statements, verification; see also sense datum.

[Ge]

The base-point used as the main reference station in setting out a grid for recording archaeological excavations or field survey data. The horizontal position of the datum is usually determined in latitude and longitude and with reference to the local mapping grid. The vertical dimension is conventionally given as a height above sea level, often calculated from the national standard. In remote areas the use of GPS equipment allows the rapid determination of accurate locational details for a site datum. See also Ordnance Datum.

pl. data

A single piece of information.

(DOD, NATO) Any numerical or geometrical quantity or set of such quantities which may serve as reference or base for other quantities. Where the concept is geometric, the plural form is "datums" in contrast to the normal plural "data."

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - faktum, udgangspunkt, nullinje, grundlinje

Nederlands (Dutch)
gegeven(s), nulpunt

Français (French)
n. - donnée (sing), information brute

Deutsch (German)
n. - Tatsache, Faktum, (Math.) gegebene Größe, (tech.) Normalfixpunkt

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - δεδομένο, (αντικειμενικό) στοιχείο, σημείο αναφοράς

Italiano (Italian)
dato

Português (Portuguese)
n. - dados (m)

Русский (Russian)
неоспоримый факт, нуль отсчета, данные

Español (Spanish)
n. - dato

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - utgångspunkt, faktum, nollyta

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
数据, 资料, 材料, 已知数

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 數據, 資料, 材料, 已知數

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 자료, 논거, 이미 알고 있는 사항, (계산의 기산을 위한) 기준

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - データ, 資料, 与件, 基準点, 基準

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مفرد كلمه Data , معلومه استدلاليه, معلومه تستخدم كعنصر أساسي في عمليه حساب أو قياس,‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮פרט, נתון‬

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