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dictum definition

dic·tum (dik′təm)

noun pl. dictums -·tums or dicta -·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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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