an addition or appendage in writings, acts, instruments, letters, &c. expressing the day and month of the year when the act, or letter, was passed or signed; together with the place where the same was done. The word is formed from the Latin datum "given," the participle of do "I give."

fruit of the phoenix or great palm-tree. This fruit is somewhat in the shape of an acorn. It is composed of a thin, light, and glossy membrane, somewhat pellucid and yellowish; which contains a fine, soft, and pulpy fruit, which is firm, sweet, and somewhat vinous to the taste, esculent, and wholesome; and within this is inclosed a solid, tough, and hard kernel, of a pale grey colour on the outside, and finely marbled within like the nutmeg.—For medicinal use, dates are to be chosen large, full, fresh, yellow on the surface, soft and tender, not too much wrinkled; such as have a vinous taste, and do not rattle when shaken. They are produced in many parts of Europe, but never ripen perfectly there. The best are from Tunis: they are also very fine and good in Egypt, and in many parts of the east. Those of Spain and France look well; but are never perfectly ripe, and are very subject to decay. They are preserved three different ways: some pressed and dry; others pressed more moderately, derately, and again moistened with their own juice; and others not pressed at all, but moistened with the juice of other dates, as they are packed up, which is done in baskets or in skins. Those preserved in this last way are much the best. Dates have always been esteemed moderately strengthening and astringent.