dictum
|dic-tum|
/ˈdɪktəm/
something said
Etymology
'dictum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'dictum', the neuter past participle of 'dicere', where 'dicere' meant 'to say'.
'dictum' passed through Medieval Latin and was adopted into English (via Middle English/Anglo-Norman usage) as 'dictum', maintaining its form into modern English.
Initially it meant 'something said' in Latin; over time it narrowed to mean an authoritative statement or pronouncement and developed a specialized legal sense as an incidental judicial remark.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an authoritative or formal statement or pronouncement.
The CEO's dictum on company policy was accepted without question.
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Noun 2
a terse saying or maxim; an aphorism.
She lived by the dictum 'work hard, play hard'.
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Noun 3
(Law) A remark or observation made by a judge that is not essential to the decision and therefore not legally binding (often referred to in the plural as 'dicta').
The judge's remark was treated as an obiter dictum, not binding precedent.
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Last updated: 2025/11/01 00:31