DAT

‖n. pl. [ L. pl. of datum. ] 1. See Datum. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a collection of facts, observations, or other information related to a particular question or problem; as, the historical data show that the budget deficit is only a small factor in determining interest rates. The term in this sense is used especially in reference to experimental observations collected in the course of a controlled scientific investigation. [ PJC ]

3. (Computers) information, most commonly in the form of a series of binary digits, stored on a physical storage medium for manipulation by a computer program. It is contrasted with the program which is a series of instructions used by the central processing unit of a computer to manipulate the data. In some conputers data and execuatble programs are stored in separate locations. [ PJC ]

n. an organized body of related information. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. relying on observation or experiment.
Syn. -- experimental, observational. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. That may be dated; having a known or ascertainable date. “Datable almost to a year.” The Century.
Syn. -- dateable. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ LL., fr. L. datum given. ] (R. C. Ch.) Formerly, a part of the Roman chancery; now, a separate office from which are sent graces or favors, cognizable in foro externo, such as appointments to benefices. The name is derived from the word datum, given or dated (with the indications of the time and place of granting the gift or favor). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. datarius. See Dataria. ] 1. (R. C. Ch.) An officer in the pope's court, having charge of the Dataria. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The office or employment of a datary. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.[ F. datte, L. dactylus, fr. Gr. &unr_;, prob. not the same word as da`ktylos finger, but of Semitic origin. ] (Bot.) The fruit of the date palm; also, the date palm itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This fruit is somewhat in the shape of an olive, containing a soft pulp, sweet, esculent, and wholesome, and inclosing a hard kernel. [ 1913 Webster ]

Date palm, or
Date tree (Bot.), the genus of palms which bear dates, of which common species is Phœnix dactylifera. See Illust. --
Date plum (Bot.), the fruit of several species of Diospyros, including the American and Japanese persimmons, and the European lotus (Diospyros Lotus). --
Date shell, or
Date fish (Zool.), a bivalve shell, or its inhabitant, of the genus Pholas, and allied genera. See Pholas. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. date, LL. data, fr. L. datus given, p. p. of dare to give; akin to Gr. &unr_;, OSlaw. dati, Skr. dā. Cf. Datum, Dose, Dato, Die. ] 1. That addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (as day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, or executed, or made; as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin. etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

And bonds without a date, they say, are void. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The point of time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time; epoch; as, the date of a battle. [ 1913 Webster ]

He at once,
Down the long series of eventful time,
So fixed the dates of being, so disposed
To every living soul of every kind
The field of motion, and the hour of rest. Akenside. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Assigned end; conclusion. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

What Time would spare, from Steel receives its date. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Given or assigned length of life; dyration. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Good luck prolonged hath thy date. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Through his life's whole date. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

To bear date, to have the date named on the face of it; -- said of a writing. [ 1913 Webster ]