dictum

Also found in: Thesaurus, Legal, Wikipedia.

dic·tum

(dĭk′təm)

n. pl. dic·ta (-tə) or dic·tums

1. An authoritative, often formal pronouncement: "He cites Augustine's dictum that 'If you understand it, it is not God'" (Joseph Sobran).

2. Law A side remark made in a judicial opinion that is not necessary for the decision in the case and therefore is not to be regarded as establishing the law of the case or setting legal precedent. Also called obiter dictum.

[Latin, from neuter past participle of dīcere, to say; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dictum

(ˈdɪktəm)

n, pl -tums or -ta (-tə)

1. a formal or authoritative statement or assertion; pronouncement

2. a popular saying or maxim

3. (Law) law See obiter dictum

[C16: from Latin, from dīcere to say]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dic•tum

(ˈdɪk təm)

n., pl. -ta (-tə), -tums.

1. an authoritative pronouncement; judicial assertion.

2. a saying; maxim.

3. obiter dictum.

[1660–70; < Latin: a saying, command, word; compare index]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun	1.	dictum - an authoritative declaration pronouncement, say-so declaration - a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written) directive - a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity; "the boss loves to send us directives"
	2.	dictum - 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 judgement, legal opinion, opinion, judgment - the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision; "opinions are usually written by a single judge" law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"

dictum

noun

1. saying, saw, maxim, adage, proverb, precept, axiom, gnome the dictum that it is preferable to be roughly right than precisely wrong

2. decree, order, demand, statement, command, dictate, canon, fiat, edict, pronouncement his dictum that the priority of the government must be the health of the people

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

Sentenz

dictum

[ˈdɪktəm] N (dictums, dicta (pl)) [ˈdɪktə] → sentencia f, aforismo m (Jur) → dictamen m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

dictum

n pl <dicta> → Diktum nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

dictum

[ˈdɪktəm] n (dictums or dicta (pl))

a. (pronouncement) → affermazione f

b. (maxim) → massima

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in classic literature ?

No service was too humble for him to perform in the aid of the South, no adventure to perilous for him to undertake if consistent with the character of a civilian who was at heart a soldier, and who in good faith and without too much qualification assented to at least a part of the frankly villainous dictum that all is fair in love and war.

View in context

And then, jealousy means lowering both myself and her," he told himself as he went into her boudoir; but this dictum, which had always had such weight with him before, had now no weight and no meaning at all.

View in context

Relating to Descartes, a famous philosopher, author of the celebrated dictum, Cogito ergo sum -- whereby he was pleased to suppose he demonstrated the reality of human existence.

View in context

But if we accept this dictum we need have no more fear of 'mysteries': these become thenceforth merely obstacles."

View in context

Apart from her studies Anne expanded socially, for Marilla, mindful of the Spencervale doctor's dictum, no longer vetoed occasional outings.

View in context

Flat-dwellers shall indorse my dictum that theirs is the only true happiness.

View in context

It freezes the water to prevent it running to the sea; it drives the sap out of the trees till they are frozen to their mighty hearts; and most ferociously and terribly of all does the Wild harry and crush into submission man--man who is the most restless of life, ever in revolt against the dictum that all movement must in the end come to the cessation of movement.

View in context

Captain Jim had never heard of Oliver Wendell Holmes, but he evidently agreed with that writer's dictum that "big heart never liked little cream pot."

View in context

And verily, it is a noble dictum which saith: "What life promiseth US, that promise will WE keep--to life!"

View in context

"It oughta come years ago," was Bert's dictum. "It can't come any too quick now to suit me, but it's too late.

View in context

"To-day speak true one way, to-morrow speak true another way, which is to lie," was Zilla's dictum.

View in context

'Each shall have his own thought,' is the dictum of Christianity; 'Each man shall have his own field,' says modern law; and in this, modern law is in harmony with Christianity.