Meaning

Something known or assumed as fact, and is made the basis of reasoning or inference which an intellectual system of any sort (such as knowledge or theoretical framework) is constructed..

Definitions by Sense

1. Something known or assumed as fact, and is made the basis of reasoning or inference which an intellectual system of any sort (such as knowledge or theoretical framework) is constructed.
2. Singular of data: A single recorded phenomenon, especially obtained by scientific work.
3. (cartography, surveying, engineering, manufacturing) A point, line, plane, or surface with reference to which positions (such as elevations) are measured or indicated. (Examples include a permanent benchmark in leveling or mean sea level in a topographical survey).
4. (nautical) A floating reference point, or SLDMB, used to evaluate surface currents in a body of water, and often employed by coastal search and rescue.
5. To provide missing data points by using a mathematical model to extrapolate values that are outside the range of a measuring device.

Example Sentences

a datum of experience

given this datum, it follows that

Holonym: data set

A geodetic datum is sometimes also called a benchmark.

GD&T tells us that the center of a bolt circle is in fact defined by the locations of the holes themselves, as each is a datum.

In a strict sense, a tidal datum can be understood as the reference plane (or surface) to which the height of a predicted tide is referred.[…]Sounding and chart datums are low water datums, that is, they refer to the level of the water surface at low tide. Nonetheless, there are also datums based on high water levels.[…]These two different datums may be included in the broader category of vertical datums, which comprises any plane or surface used as a reference to measure vertical distances (such as depths, drying features, heights on shore, etc.).

Datums are another important map aspect related to projection. A datum provides a base reference for measuring locations on Earth's surface.

For horizontal measurements [on the Earth], we fix a mathematical body of Earth in space using a Cartesian coordinate system. After that, a separate coordinate system is created over the surface of this body to generate horizontal coordinates. A mathematical earth body fixed in space makes up the horizontal datum.

Word Forms

• data
• datums
• datuming
• datumed

Synonyms for datum

Related Words

When Should You Use Datum?

Use datum when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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