<data> /me't*-day`t*/, or combinations of /may'-/ or
(Commonwealth) /mee'-/; /-dah`t*/ (Or "meta data") Data about
data. In data processing, meta-data is definitional data
that provides information about or documentation of other data
managed within an application or environment.
For example, meta-data would document data about data
elements or attributes, (name, size, data type, etc) and
data about records or data structures (length, fields,
columns, etc) and data about data (where it is located, how it
is associated, ownership, etc.). Meta-data may include
descriptive information about the context, quality and
condition, or characteristics of the data.
Not to be confused with Metadata.
(1997-04-06)
Nearby terms:
Metaclass « Meta-Crystal « Metadata « meta-data » Metadata Information Partners » META element » metafile
