datum vs principle

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. 

principle

noun
  • A fundamental assumption or guiding belief. 

  • A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality. 

  • A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem. 

  • A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied. 

  • Bernoulli's Principle 

  • An original faculty or endowment. 

  • A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause. 

  • Moral rule or aspect. 

verb
  • To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct. 

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