dictum

Meaning

Noun

• An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.
• A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it.
• The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
• An arbitrament or award.

Origin

• From Latin dictum ("proverb, maxim"), from dictus, perfect passive participle of dico. Compare Spanish dicho ("saying").