Exactie

Exactie is a Dutch noun describing the quality of being exact. It denotes the degree to which a statement, measurement, or calculation conforms to a true or intended value. In practice exactie encompasses both accuracy (how close a result is to the true value) and precision (how repeatable measurements are). In Dutch usage, these nuances are often clarified by context or by related terms such as precisie and nauwkeurigheid.

In scientific and technical contexts, exactie underpins measurement, data analysis, and the description of experimental results. A result with high exactie is expected to be free from substantial systematic error and to be reproducible under similar conditions. The phrase "exacte wetenschappen" refers to fields like mathematics, physics, and chemistry where quantitative exactness is foundational.

Etymology: Exactie derives from Latin exactus, through French exactitude, and into Dutch. The stem "exact" carries the core sense of being free from error or deviation.

Related terms in Dutch include nuances such as precisie (precision) and nauwkeurigheid (accuracy). In everyday language, exactie can also describe the carefulness or thoroughness with which someone performs a task.