MEANING
1. A brief statement expressing a principle, judgment, or rule with an air of authority.
2. A judge’s observation on a legal point that is not necessary to decide the case.
Use it for
referring to an authoritative saying; summarizing a guiding principle; questioning a maxim treated as unquestionable; distinguishing a forceful pronouncement from supporting evidenceNames a compact principle or authoritative pronouncement while distinguishing a judge’s nonessential observation from a binding ruling. Writing functions: Argumentation, Qualification / Uncertainty.
Words that belong together
- a familiar dictum
- a guiding dictum
- repeat the dictum that
On the page
The essay tests the familiar dictum that economic growth necessarily improves welfare.
Her guiding dictum was simple: interpret an omission before treating it as evidence of intent.
The article treats the judge’s remark as dictum rather than the basis of the decision.
Later courts cited the dicta for their reasoning, not as binding precedent.
Word forms
- Base
- dictum
Usage notes
Countable noun: dictum; plural dicta or dictums. The legal plural is usually dicta. Do not create a separate entry for either plural. Register: formal. Commonness: uncommon (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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