Dictum Definition

dĭktəm
dicta, dictums
noun
dictums
A statement or saying, esp. a formal statement.
Webster's New World
A judge's remark or observation on some point of law which is not essential to the case in question, hence not binding as a legal precedent.
Webster's New World
In a court’s decision, a statement of opinion or of a general rule that is explanatory or suggestive only, and not binding on courts in future cases, because it does not form part of the court’s central argument. For example, a judge’s suggestion as to how she might decide a related controversy not presently before her would be considered dictum.
Webster's New World Law

An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.

Wiktionary
The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Dictum

Noun

Singular:
dictum
Plural:
dicta, dictums

Origin of Dictum

  • Latin from neuter past participle of dīcere to say deik- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin dictum (“proverb, maxim”).

    From Wiktionary

Dictum Sentence Examples

  • His favourite dictum in politics was, "Why not leave it alone ?"

  • Occam's dictum "Entia non multiplicanda sunt praeter necessitatem" was inspired by a spirit similar to that of Bacon.

  • The famous dictum "Every man is the architect of his own fortune" is attributed to him.

  • To that I can answer with the well-known dictum, " In the long run we all shall die.

  • In general it proved that an alliance, to be effective, must be clearly defined as to its objects, and that in the long run the treaty in which these objects are defined must - to quote Bismarck's somewhat cynical dictum - "be reinforced by the interests" of the parties concerned.

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Words Starting With

DDIDIC

Words Ending With

MUMTUM

Unscrambles

dictum

Words Starting With D and Ending With M

Starts With D & Ends With MStarts With DI & Ends With MStarts With D & Ends With UM

Word Length

6 Letter Words6 Letter Words Starting With D6 Letter Words Ending With M