relatum

1 9.9

A word or thing that is linked to another in a relation

noun
/rɪˈleɪtəm/

Specialized

: relatum

The analysis of a proposition often involves identifying each relatum and the relation that connects them.

Examples

In the sentence 'Alice loves Bob', both 'Alice' and 'Bob' serve as relata in the relationship of loving.
Every mathematical function consists of relata joined by a specific relation.
The relatum is essential in logic.
A relatum can represent different concepts.
In the sentence 'Dogs chase cats', 'dogs' and 'cats' are the relatum in this relation.
Each relatum in a logical proposition must be clearly defined to understand the argument.
When forming a logical statement, identify the relatum to clarify the relationship.

Surface Forms

relatum singular

relata plural

Etymology

Relatum is related to the English words relate and relation, and it comes from a Latin idea of 'bringing back' or 'carrying back'. Think of a pair joined by a link: each item is a relatum, one thing in the relation, so in logic a relatum is a term that is related to another term.