| source : 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. | source : 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}]