First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1date
noun \ˈdāt\
Definition of DATE
1
: the oblong edible fruit of a palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
2
: the tall palm with pinnate leaves that yields the date
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Origin of DATE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Latin dactylus — more at dactyl
2date
noun
Definition of DATE
1
a : the time at which an event occurs <the date of his birth> b : a statement of the time of execution or making <the date on the letter>
2
: duration
3
: the period of time to which something belongs
4
a : an appointment to meet at a specified time; especially : a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character b : a person with whom one has a usually romantic date
5
: an engagement for a professional performance (as of a dance band)
— to date
: up to the present moment
Origin of DATE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin data, from data (as in data Romae given at Rome), feminine of Latin datus, past participle of dare to give; akin to Latin dos gift, dowry, Greek didonai to give
First Known Use: 14th century
3date
verb
: to do an activity with someone you have might have a romantic relationship with : to go on a date or several dates with (someone)
: to write the date on (something)
: to show or find out when (something) was made or produced
dat·eddat·ing
Full Definition of DATE
transitive verb
1
: to determine the date of <date an antique>
2
: to record the date of : mark with the date
3
a : to mark with characteristics typical of a particular period b : to show up plainly the age of
4
: to make or have a date with
intransitive verb
1
: to reckon chronologically
2
: originate <a friendship dating from college days>
3
: to become dated
4
: to go out on usually romantic dates
— dat·able also date·able \ˈdā-tə-bəl\ adjective
— dat·er \ˈdā-tər\ noun
See date defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DATE
15th century
Related to DATE
- Synonyms
- go out (with), take out
DATE Defined for Kids
1date
noun \ˈdāt\
Definition of DATE for Kids
: the sweet brownish fruit of an Old World palm (date palm)
Word History of DATE
The English word for the fruit of the date palm comes by way of French and Latin from a Greek word daktylos. The original meaning of this Greek word was “finger,” but it was also used for the fruit. A cluster of dates on a palm tree must have looked to someone like the fingers on a hand.
2date
noun
Definition of DATE for Kids
1
: the day, month, or year on which an event happens or happened <What is your date of birth?>
2
: a statement of time on something (as a coin, letter, book, or building) <Write the date on your paper.>
3
: appointment 1 <Louis paid no attention to the other birds. He had a date to keep. — E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan>
4
: an arrangement to meet between two people usually with romantic feelings for each other <It's not a date—we're just friends.>
5
: either of two people who meet for a usually romantic social engagement <Do you have a date for the dance?>
3date
verb
dat·eddat·ing
Definition of DATE for Kids
1
: to write the date on <Be sure to date the letter.>
2
: to find or show the date or age of <Scientists dated the fossil.>
3
: to belong to or have survived from a time <My house dates from colonial times.>
4
: to make or have a date with <I'm dating him tonight.>
5
: to go together regularly on romantic social engagements <They've been dating for a year.>
Learn More About DATE
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