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2 definitions found

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [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.

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [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}]
       [also: {dicta} (pl)]

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