datum
Definitions
A single piece of information; one item of the things we call 'data'
单项资料；data（数据）的单数形式，指一条信息
A fixed reference point used as a basis for measurement
基准点；测量的参照基准
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveddat (given) + Latin neuter ending -um = 'a thing given.' A datum is literally a fact that has been given to you; the plural datum -> data is now the everyday word, and 'datum' survives mostly in formal or technical use (a measurement datum).
Root dit still carries 69 more wordsUsage Guide
In everyday and even most scientific English, 'data' is treated as a mass noun ('the data is clear') and the singular 'datum' sounds formal or pedantic. Reserve 'datum' for surveying/engineering (a reference datum) or when you deliberately stress 'one single fact.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
Each datum was logged with the exact time it was recorded.
- 2.
Strictly speaking, 'data' is plural and 'datum' is its singular.
- 3.
Surveyors measured every height from a single datum on the bedrock.