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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary fact ETYMOLOGY Latin factum, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere DATE 15th century 1. a thing done: as a. obsolete : feat b. crime accessory after the fact c. archaic : action 2. archaic : performance , doing 3. the quality of being actual : actuality a question of fact hinges on evidence 4. a. something that has actual existence space exploration is now a fact b. an actual occurrence prove the fact of damage 5. a piece of information presented as having objective reality • • • - in fact English Etymology fact 1539, "action," especially "evil deed," from L. factum "event, occurrence," lit. "thing done," from neut. pp. of facere "to do" (see factitious). Usual modern sense of "thing known to be true" appeared 1632, from notion of "something that has actually occurred." Facts of life "harsh realities" is from 1854; specific sense of "human sexual functions" first recorded 1913. Factoid is from 1973, first explained, if not coined, by Norman Mailer."Factoids ... that is, facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper, creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority." [N. Mailer, "Marilyn," 1973] Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ fact fact / fAkt / noun1. [sing.] ~ (that...) used to refer to a particular situation that exists 现实；实际情况: I could no longer ignore the fact that he was deeply unhappy. 我再不能对他深感不快这个事实不闻不问了。 Despite the fact that she was wearing a seat belt, she was thrown sharply forward. 尽管她系了安全带,还是被猛然抛前。 Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing. 这些囚犯由于看不懂英语,不知道自己在签什么。 She was happy apart from the fact that she could not return home. 除了不能回家之外,她很快活。 Voluntary work was particularly important in view of the fact that women were often forced to give up paid work on marriage. 鉴于妇女一结婚就常常被迫放弃有报酬工作的事实,义务工作尤其重要。 How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising? 你如何解释失业人数仍在增加这个现实？ The fact remains that we are still ten teachers short. 实际情况是我们还缺少两名教师。 The mere fact of being poor makes such children criminals in the eyes of the police. 只因为贫穷就使得这群儿童成为警方眼中的罪犯。 2. [C] a thing that is known to be true, especially when it can be proved (可证实的)事实,真相: Isn't it a fact that the firm is losing money? 公司正在亏本,这难道不是事实吗？ (informal) I haven't spoken to anyone in English for days and that's a fact. 我有好多天没和任何人说英语了,事实就是这样。 I know for a fact (= I am certain) that she's involved in something illegal. 我肯定她卷入了非法活动。 The judge instructed both lawyers to stick to the facts of the case. 法官责令双方律师要紧扣案情。 First, some basic facts about healthy eating! 首先,说说健康饮食的几点基本事实！ The report is based on hard facts (= information that can be proved to be true). 这个报告是以铁的事实为根据的。 If you're going to make accusations, you'd better get your facts right (= make sure your information is correct). 你要是打算控告最好把证据弄确凿。 It's about time you learnt to face (the) facts (= accepted the truth about the situation). 现在该是你学会正视现实的时候了。 3. [U] things that are true rather than things that have been invented 真实的事物；真实情况: The story is based on fact. 这个故事是根据真人真事写的。 It's important to distinguish fact from fiction. 区别真实和虚构是重要的。 IDIOMS ▪ 7after the 'fact after sth has happened or been done when it is too late to prevent it or change it 事后: On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact. 有一些重大决策雇员只在事后才获悉。 ▪ the fact (of the matter) is (that)... used to emphasize a statement, especially six that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned (用以强调,尤其与刚提到的相反)事实上是,实际情况是: A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can't afford one. 有新车好是好,不过实际情况是我们买不起。 ▪ a 7fact of 'life a situation that cannot be changed, especially six that is unpleasant 生活的(不快)现实 ▪ 7facts and 'figures accurate and detailed information 准确的信息；精确的资料；确实的情报: I've asked to see all the facts and figures before I make a decision. 我已要求在看到所有的确切信息后再作决定。 ▪ the 7facts of 'life the details about sex and about how babies are born, especially as told to children 性知识(尤指对儿童讲的) ▪ the facts speak for them'selves it is not necessary to give any further explanation about sth because the information that is available already proves that it is true 事实足以说明一切 ▪ in (actual) fact 1. used to give extra details about sth that has just been mentioned (补充细节)确切地说: I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you're going. 我曾在法国住过；确切地说,离你要去的地方不远。 2. used to emphasize a statement, especially six that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned (用以强调,尤其与刚提到的相反)事实上,实际上: I thought the work would be difficult. In actual fact, it's very easy. 我原以为这工作会很难,事实上却很容易。 ▪ Is that a 'fact? (informal) used to reply to a statement that you find interesting or surprising, or that you do not believe (回答认为有趣、惊奇或不相信的说法)是真的吗: 'She says I'm six of the best students she's ever taught.' 'Is that a fact?' "她说我是她教过的最好的学生之一。" "真的是这样吗？" ⇨ more at matter n., point n. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English fact noun ADJ. important, interesting, relevant, salient looking at all the relevant facts | basic | concrete, hard, incontrovertible, inescapable, observable, obvious, plain, straightforward, true, undeniable The police have to support their case with hard facts. These are all incontrovertible facts. | bare, brute, disturbing, harsh, sad, stark, unpalatable, unpleasant the bare facts of war a rather harsh fact of life | little-known, well-known It is a well-known fact that girls do better than boys at school. | mere The mere fact of your being there will arouse their suspicions. | historical VERB + FACT be aware of, have, know We haven't got all the facts yet. She already knew the facts she needed. | ascertain, establish, find out the best way of establishing the facts | check, examine, look at I think you need to check your facts. For God's sake, look at the facts! | prove These facts have not yet been proved. | collect, gather | select Historians must first select the facts that they present. | give, impart, present, state The job of the teacher is not simply to impart facts. I'm not making excuses?I'm just stating a fact. | interpret different ways of interpreting the facts | account for, explain How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising? | accept, acknowledge, face, recognize She wouldn't accept the fact that she had lost. I'm afraid you'll have to face facts. She'll never marry you. | grasp He doesn't seem able to grasp this basic fact. | learn | assimilate Students need time to assimilate the facts. | deny, dispute No one can deny this fact. | ignore, overlook This approach ignores the fact that people, not computers, commit crimes. | be oblivious to | conceal, disguise, hide If he was bored, he managed to hide the fact very well. | obscure The recent improvements should not obscure the fact that general standards are still far too low. | draw attention to The report draws attention to the fact that the country is now a net exporter of the product. | emphasize, underline | confine yourself to, keep to, stick to Just stick to the facts. | be based on a novel based on historical fact | reflect Prices reflect the fact that the company is aiming at the luxury market. | stem from He knew their bitterness stemmed from the fact that he was in charge. | be explained by | be complicated by, be compounded by, be exacerbated by The problem was compounded by the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for?only ‘some sort of clue’. | lament, regret, resent We sat miserably in the pub, lamenting the fact that our dry clothes were a 60-mile bus journey away. She resented the fact that I was older and had more freedom than her. FACT + VERB remain The fact remains that we are still two teachers short. PREP. after the ~ On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact (= when it was too late to change them). | apart from the ~ She was happy, apart from the fact that she could not return home. | despite/in spite of/notwithstanding the ~ She's taking her children on holiday, despite the fact that school starts tomorrow. | due to the ~ Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing. | given the ~ The findings are not surprising, given the facts: … | in ~ I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you're going. | ~ about We learned several interesting facts about elephants. PHRASES (as) a matter of fact It's not wild speculation! It's plain matter of fact. ‘I suppose you'll be leaving soon, then?’ ‘No, as a matter of fact I'll be staying for another two years.’ | facts and figures presenting all the facts and figures to the meeting | the fact of the matter A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can't afford one. | the facts of the case The facts of the case are quite straightforward. | a fact of life (= a situation that cannot be changed) It is an unpalatable fact of life that the most deserving people do no | the facts of life (= the details about sex and how babies are born, especially as told to children), fact or fiction? The Loch Ness Monster: fact or fiction? | the facts speak for themselves (= further explanation about sth is unnecessary because the facts prove it is true), get your facts right/wrong If you're going to make accusations, you'd better get your facts right. | have the facts at your fingertips When making your presentation, it is important to have all the facts at your fingertips (= to have the information you need and be able to find it and use it quickly). | in actual fact/in point of fact I thought the work would be difficult. In actual fact, it's very easy. | in view of the fact that … Voluntary work was particularly important in view of the fact that women were often forced to give up paid work on marriage. | know for a fact Do you know for a fact that he is in London? | a question/statement of fact It's a simple statement of fact. | a recognition of the fact that … a growing recognition of the fact that learning may take different forms Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun 1 the quality of being actual FF1C;the realm of fact is distinct from fancyFF1E; Synonyms: actuality, reality Related Words: authenticity, genuineness, truth Contrasted Words: fancy, fantasy, fiction 2 something that has actual existence FF1C;stubborn factsthat cannot be confutedFF1E; Synonyms: event, phenomenon Related Words: circumstance, detail, episode, particular; happening, incident, occurrence; observable Contrasted Words: contingency, eventuality, hope, possibility, potentiality, probability Antonyms: illusion Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged fact \ˈfakt\ noun (-s) Etymology: Latin factum, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere to do, make — more at do 1. : a thing done : deed: as a. obsolete : an action in general : action , conduct b. obsolete : a meritorious or valorous deed c. : a wrong or unlawful deed : crime — used in the phrase after the fact < an accessory after the fact > 2. obsolete : doing , making , preparing, performing , act 3. a. : something that has actual existence : event b. : an occurrence, quality, or relation the reality of which is manifest in experience or may be inferred with certainty; specifically : an actual happening in time or space < fact in its primary meaning, as an object of direct experience, is distinguished from truth > < stubborn facts > < given facts > c. : a verified statement or proposition; also : something that makes a statement or a proposition true or false 4. a. : the quality or character of being actual or of being made up of facts : actuality < a question of fact hinges on the actual evidence > b. : physical actuality or practical experience as distinguished from imagination, speculation, or theory < the realm of fact is distinct from fancy > 5. : an assertion, statement, or information containing or purporting to contain something having objective reality < you must marshal your facts to combat his assertions > broadly : something presented rightly or wrongly as having objective reality < his facts are open to question > 6. usually plural a. : any of the circumstances of a case at law as it exists or is alleged to exist in reality : something proved by the evidence to be or alleged to be of actual occurrence b. : the reality of events or things the actual occurrence or existence of which is to be determined by evidence • - in fact |
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