dic ‧ tum /ˈdɪktəm/ BrE AmE noun ( plural dictums or dicta /-tə/) [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'thing said' , from the past participle of dicere 'to say' ]
1 . a formal statement of opinion by someone who is respected or has authority
2 . a short phrase that expresses a general rule or truth:
Descartes’ famous dictum: ‘I think; therefore, I am’