noun
or memorandum opinion
1. : a brief opinion of a court or a judge announcing the result of litigation without an extended discussion of the principles involved by sometimes with the citation of precedents — compare per curiam decision
2. : an opinion of the Tax Court of the United States that is ordered not to be published but that is authoritative as a precedent
3. : an opinion of a court or a judge announcing the conclusions reached on the issues of fact and of law and giving directions as to the matters to be set forth in an order, judgment, or decree to be entered
4. : an opinion of a court or a judge setting forth the conclusions reached on issues of fact and of law and containing the actual order, judgment, or decree of the court or judge