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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Data \Da"ta\, 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.

Note: 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]


Datum \Da"tum\, n.; pl. {Data}. [L. See 2d {Date}.]
1. Something given or admitted; a fact or principle granted;
that upon which an inference or an argument is based; --
used chiefly in the plural.
[1913 Webster]

Any writer, therefore, who . . . furnishes us with
data sufficient to determine the time in which he
wrote. --Priestley.
[1913 Webster]

2. a single piece of information; a fact; especially a piece
of information obtained by observation or experiment; --
used mostly in the plural.
[PJC]

3. pl. (Math.) The quantities or relations which are assumed
to be given in any problem.
[1913 Webster]

4. (Surveying) a point, line, or level surface used as a
reference in measuring elevations. --RHUD
[PJC]

{Datum line} (Surv.), the horizontal or base line, from which
the heights of points are reckoned or measured, as in the
plan of a railway, etc.
[1913 Webster]