system catalog
<database> The {data dictionary} of a {DBMS}. The system
catalogue stores {meta-data} including the {schemas} of the
{databases}. It is a mini-database, and is usually stored
using the DBMS itself in special {tables} called {system
tables}. It maybe referred to as being "on line", as it is
active, and can be queried by users like any other table.
(1999-04-27)