Is 'datus' used for a date in Latin?

Save this question. Show activity on this post. In many languages the word for date (a specific day, such as January 2, 2019) seems to come from the Latin participle datus: we have the English "date", the Italian "data", the Swedish "datum", and others.

1. What is the Latin word for date?
2. Where did the word date come from?
3. What is the Latin date today?

What is the Latin word for date?

Date comes from the Latin datus, "given," because in ancient Rome when people wrote letters or decrees, they'd say, "given ("data") May 1st" (for example). Date can mean a day of each year, like May 1st, or one historical day, like May 1st, 1873. You make a date to meet someone for dinner. You date your letter.

Where did the word date come from?

From Middle English date, from Old French date, from Late Latin data, from Latin datus (“given”), past participle of dare (“to give”); from Proto-Indo-European *deh₃- (“to give”). Doublet of data.

What is the Latin date today?

The Roman numerals above represent today's date: 16th February 2023. The parts are arranged: day (XVI), month (II), year (MMXXIII).