dictum

views updated May 29 2018

dic·tum / ˈdiktəm/ • n. (pl. -ta / -tə/ or -tums) a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source: the Politburo's dictum that the party will become a “left-wing parliamentary party.” ∎  a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle: the old dictum “might makes right.” ∎  Law short for obiter dictum.

Dictum

views updated May 23 2018

DICTUM

[Latin, A remark.] A statement, comment, or opinion. An abbreviated version of obiter dictum, "a remark by the way," which is a collateral opinion stated by a judge in the decision of a case concerning legal matters that do not directly involve the facts or affect the outcome of the case, such as a legal principle that is introduced by way of illustration, argument, analogy, or suggestion.

Dictum has no binding authority and, therefore, cannot be cited as precedent in subsequent lawsuits. Dictum is the singular form of dicta.

dictum

views updated May 21 2018

dictum XVII. — L. ‘thing said’, sb. use of n. pp. of dīcere say.