dictum Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an authoritative declaration
say-so; pronouncement.
noun an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding
obiter dictum.

L., neuter of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Ditto.

plural L Dicta E Dictums

An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an apothegm.
A class of critical dicta everywhere current. M. Arnold.
(Law) (a) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it. (b) (French Law) The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it. Bouvier. (c) An arbitrament or award.