Hypertext Webster Gateway: "dictum"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Dictum \Dic"tum\, n.; pl. L. {Dicta}, E. {Dictums}. [L., neuter
of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See {Diction}, and cf.
{Ditto}.]
1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an
apothegm.
A class of critical dicta everywhere current. --M.
Arnold.
2. (Law)
(a) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that
do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not
involved in it.
(b) (French Law) The report of a judgment made by one of
the judges who has given it. --Bouvier.
(c) An arbitrament or award.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
dictum
n 1: an authoritative declaration [syn: {pronouncement}, {say-so}]
2: an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly
bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding
[syn: {obiter dictum}]
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