date (v.) Copy link Outline A. Trans.I. To put a date to a letter, etc.1. do, dĕdi, dătum, 1 (strictly, to give to the letter-carrier)2. (diem) ascrībo (ads.), psi, ptum, 3II. In more general senseB. Intrans. • date (v.): A. Trans.: I. To put a date to a letter, etc.: 1. do, dĕdi, dătum, 1 (strictly, to give to the letter-carrier): a letter d.d (at) Placentia, litterae Placentiae datae, Cic.: d.d the 12th of June, datum (also dabam) pridie Idus Junii, Cic. 2. (diem) ascrībo (ads.), psi, ptum, 3: you don't d. the second letter, in altera epistola diem non ascribis., Cic.: also, diem apponere, id. II. In more general sense: to d. the building of the city from the year 753, *initia urbis conditae ab anne DCCLIII. ante Christum natum repetere (based on Cic.); or, urbem ante annos DCCLIII. quam natus est Christus conditam narrare. Fig.: thence d.s my downfall, hinc mihi prima mali labes, Virg. B. Intrans.: to date from a certain origin: incipere; originem trahere; initium capere, etc.: v. to begin, originate.