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dictum Definition

dic·tum (dik′təm)

noun pl. -·tums or -·ta-tə

  1. a statement or saying, esp. a formal statement, specif.
    1. of fact, opinion, principle, etc.
    2. of one's will or judgment
  2. Law 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

Etymology: L, something said, word, neut. of dictus, pp. of dicere: see diction

dictum Synonyms

dictum

n.

  1. Pronouncement

    dictate, assertion, decree; see announcement 2, declaration 1, 2, judgment 3.

  2. Proverb

    maxim, adage, precept, saying; see motto, proverb.

dictum Law Definition

n

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.

dictum Usage Examples

Preposition: that

power: But where tried, democracy has proven the dictum that power tames.

Converse of object

  • know: To quote the known dictum of a competent judge [ Dr. .
  • follow: No wonder, even the United Nations has begun to follow the unwritten dictum.
  • quote: In an oft quoted dictum he said Probably the most objectionable are found in the complex standard form conditions which are now so common.
  • remember: Remember the ancient dictum: 'To thine own self be true ' .
  • apply: It is therefore necessary to apply the dictum of Vinelott J referred to above.
  • prove: But where tried, democracy has proven the dictum that power tames.

Converse of subject

govern: In the end, I have been governed by a medical dictum.

Adjective modifier

  • famous: How far from Freud's famous dictum can one get?
  • own: It has also been noted that Kitchen does not consistently apply his own dictum.
  • well-known: To that I can answer with the well-known dictum, " In the long run we all shall die.
  • celebrated: What it needs is Ballard's celebrated dictum that the future is anything with a fin on it.
  • ancient: Remember the ancient dictum: 'To thine own self be true ' .

Noun used with modifier

obiter: Paragraph 62 is not only expressed conditionally but is also, strictly speaking, an obiter dictum.

Preposition: of

right: Here is the traditional dictum of the political right, ' no rights without responsibilities and duties ' , turned on its head.