■ noun a thing that is indisputably the case.
↘( ~s ) information used as evidence or as part of a report.
↘ chiefly Law the truth about events as opposed to interpretation.
Phrases
before (or after ) the ~ Law before (or after) the committing of a crime.
a ~ of life something that must be accepted, even if unpalatable.
the ~s of life information about sexual matters, especially as given to children.
in ( point of ) ~ in reality.
Origin
C15 (orig. meaning 'an act', later 'a crime', surviving in the phr. before (or after) the ~ ): from L. ~um , neut. past participle of facere 'do'.