Metadatem

Metadatem is a term occasionally used to refer to a single unit of metadata—a single metadata statement about a data resource. It is not a standard label in contemporary metadata practice or in major standards, where terms like metadata element, metadata field, or data element are more commonly employed.

Etymology and usage of the term are uncertain and rarely standardized. Metadatem derives from metadatum, a Latin-rooted form meaning a datum about data. In English, the more common singular is metadatum, with metadata as the conventional plural. The form metadatem appears infrequently and is usually encountered in historical or rhetorical contexts rather than formal metadata specifications.

In practical terms, a metadatem would convey one property of a resource, such as a title, author, creation date, subject, language, format, or rights. It is typically a component within a metadata record or schema, expressed as a simple statement or key-value pair. However, most practitioners would simply refer to the corresponding metadata element or field (for example, the title element or the date field) rather than using the label metadatem.

Standards and frameworks for metadata—such as Dublin Core, ISO 19115, and schema.org—define specific elements and structures but do not standardize the term metadatem. When encountered, metadatem is generally used in informal explanations, pedagogical materials, or historical discussions to illustrate the concept of a single metadata statement rather than as a formal term in these standards.

See also: metadata, metadatum, data element, metadata standard, metadata element.