datum vs dictum

datum

noun
  • A premise from which conclusions are drawn. 

  • A floating reference point, or SLDMB, used to evaluate surface currents in a body of water. Often employed by coastal search and rescue. 

  • A fixed reference point or set of reference points which precisely define a system of measurement or a coordinate system. 

  • A fact known from direct observation. 

verb
  • To provide missing data points by using a mathematical model to extrapolate values that are outside the range of a measuring device. 

dictum

noun
  • The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it. 

  • An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm. 

  • An arbitrament or award. 

  • A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it. 

How often have the words datum and dictum occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )