fact



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Fact \Fact\ (f[a^]kt), n. [L. factum, fr. facere to make or do.
   Cf. Feat, Affair, Benefit, Defect, Fashion, and
   -fy.]
   1. A doing, making, or preparing. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            A project for the fact and vending
            Of a new kind of fucus, paint for ladies. --B.
                                                  Jonson.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that
      comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance.
      [1913 Webster]

            What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am
            not able to conjecture.               --Evelyn.
      [1913 Webster]

            He who most excels in fact of arms.   --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all
      the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. The assertion or statement of a thing done or existing;
      sometimes, even when false, improperly put, by a transfer
      of meaning, for the thing done, or supposed to be done; a
      thing supposed or asserted to be done; as, history abounds
      with false facts.
      [1913 Webster]

            I do not grant the fact.              --De Foe.
      [1913 Webster]

            This reasoning is founded upon a fact which is not
            true.                                 --Roger Long.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The term fact has in jurisprudence peculiar uses in
         contrast with law; as, attorney at law, and attorney in
         fact; issue in law, and issue in fact. There is also a
         grand distinction between law and fact with reference
         to the province of the judge and that of the jury, the
         latter generally determining the fact, the former the
         law. --Burrill --Bouvier.
         [1913 Webster]

   Accessary before the fact, or Accessary after the fact.
      See under Accessary.

   Matter of fact, an actual occurrence; a verity; used
      adjectively: of or pertaining to facts; prosaic;
      unimaginative; as, a matter-of-fact narration.

   Syn: Act; deed; performance; event; incident; occurrence;
        circumstance.
        [1913 Webster]














Feedback Form