ˈdiktəm noun
( plural dic·ta -tə ; also dictums -təmz)
Etymology: Latin, from neuter of dictus, past participle of dicere to say — more at diction
1. : saying , statement :
a. : an authoritative pronouncement often formal and definitive
awaiting the king's dictum on the case
: a statement in summation uttered with the intent or hope of acceptance as definitive
a critic's dicta about art
b. : a formal statement of a principle or proposition
a philosopher's dictum on the nature of good
c. : an opinionative statement uttered as though authoritatively and objectively
the subjectivity and authoritarianism of many of his dicta — Thomas Pyles
: maxim
a would-be professor must heed the dictum “Publish or perish” — M.M.Hunt
2. : an opinion expressed by a judge on a point not necessarily arising or involved in a case in question or necessary for determining the rights of parties involved — see obiter dictum ; compare precedent , stare decisis