obiter dictum

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o·bi·ter dictum

(ō′bĭ-tər)

n. pl. obiter dicta (-tə) Law

[Latin, something said in passing : obiter, in passing + dictum, something said, from neuter past participle of dīcere, to say.]

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.

obiter dictum

(ˈɒbɪtə ˈdɪktəm; ˈəʊ-)

n, pl obiter dicta (ˈdɪktə)

1. (Law) law an observation by a judge on some point of law not directly in issue in the case before him or her and thus neither requiring a decision nor serving as a precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority

2. any comment, remark, or observation made in passing

[Latin: something said in passing]

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

ob•i•ter dic•tum

(ˈɒb ɪ tər ˈdɪk təm)

n., pl. obiter dic•ta (ˈdɪk tə)

1. an incidental remark or opinion.

2. a judicial opinion in a matter related but not essential to a case.

[1805–15; < Latin: (a) saying by the way]

obiter dictum

A Latin phrase meaning something said in passing.

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Noun	1.	obiter dictum - an incidental remark passing comment comment, remark, input - a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information; "from time to time she contributed a personal comment on his account"
	2.	obiter dictum - an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding 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"

obiter dictum

noun

An expression of fact or opinion:

comment, note, observation, remark.

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References in periodicals archive ?

In retrospect, an obiter dictum against the late K.

Rule Of MLA

This is surely a mere obiter dictum but it seems to have entered the lore, if not strictly speaking the law, of treasure with unnecessarily restrictive consequences.

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As soon as I see the glimmer of a consequence, I pull the trigger." But what is an aphorism and how does it differ from a haiku, a proverb, an epigram, an obiter dictum, a maxim, an adage, a riddle, an axiom or a brocard?

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Despite the Supreme Court's pronouncements, the Tax Court, by way of an obiter dictum in the SLTC case, believes that the rule should be revisited.

Can legal interest be charged on delayed grant of tax refunds?

He himself noted that they were according him far more powers than he deserved; noting that even if he had made such a promise, it would have been utterly reckless for anyone to gamble the future of an entire people on such a whimsical obiter dictum.

Awo forever

They agreed with Justice John Mativo of the High Court, who said the 2013 decision was an obiter dictum - uttered in court, but not legally binding on other courts as a precedent.

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Latin for "something said in passing," obiter dictum is "[a] judicial comment made while delivering a judicial opinion, but one that is unnecessary to the decision in the case and therefore not precedential (although it may be considered persuasive)." Obiter Dictum, Black's Law Dictionary 1240 (10th ed.

Informer lacks standing to bring complaint under s. 962 of the Neutrality Act

However, the court provided obiter dictum (an after the decision opinion) that the agency lacked jurisdiction to grant common law public interest standing, even if the "genuine interest" factor would work to separate valid challengers from busybodies.

Can administrative agencies grant common law public interest standing?

An obiter dictum on class and materialism; according to Mohsin her paintings show her own struggle to reconcile the disparity between the socio-economic classes.

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The phrase 'obiter dictum' is used in which legal context?

QUIZ OF THE DAY

The phrase 'obiter dictum' is used in which legal Quiz of the Day ANSWERS: 1 Warren Beatty; 2 Jacob Epstein; 3 Policemen; 4 Don and Phil; 5 Green; 6 A roof; 7 Twenty; 8 A comment made by a judge; 9 The first untethered space walk; 10 24.