fact

Etymology

From Old French fact, from Latin factum (“an act, deed, feat, etc.”); also Medieval Latin for “state, condition, circumstance”; neuter of factus (“done or made”), perfect passive participle of faciō (“do, make”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put, place, set”). Old/Middle French later evolved it into faict and fait. Doublet of feat.

noun

1. Something actual as opposed to invented.
   In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
   Mother[…]considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
2. Something which is real.
   Gravity is a fact, not a theory.
3. Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
   Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.
4. An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.
   There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.
5. Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
   The facts about space travel.
6. (databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.
7. (archaic) Action; the realm of action.
   After that Richard, the third of that name, king in fact only, but tyrant both in title and regiment[…]was[…]overthrown and slain at Bosworth Field; there succeeded in the kingdom[…]Henry the Seventh. 1622, Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh, page 1
8. (law, obsolete except in set phrases) A wrongful or criminal deed.
   Gentlemen of the Jury, I think I need say but little on this matter: They all confess the fact of which they stand indicted. Some of them were old offenders, and all of them were proved to be at the taking of capt. Manwareing's sloop, and all took their shares: so that I think the fact is very fully and clearly proved upon them. 1819, T. Howell, A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and Other Crimes and Misdemeanors
   He had become an accessory after the fact.
9. (obsolete) A feat or meritorious deed.
   When he who most excels in fact of arms, 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost

intj

1. Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.