Latin A saying, observation, remark Plural, dicta 1 A voluntary statement; a comment 2 An opinion expressed by a judge on a point not necessarily arising in a case State v Clarke, 3 Nev 572 (1867), Beatty, C J
an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding
A dictum is a formal statement made by someone who has authority. Disraeli's dictum that the first priority of the government must be the health of the people
A dictum is a saying that describes an aspect of life in an interesting or wise way. the dictum that it is preferable to be roughly right than precisely wrong = saying
\DIK-tuhm\, noun: 1 An authoritative statement; a formal pronouncement 2 (Law) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it
(Latin) An incidental remark, an opinion expressed by a judge, but not judiciously An obiter dictum has no authority beyond that of deference to the wisdom, experience, and honesty of the person who utters it; but a judicial sentence is the verdict of a judge bound under oath to pronounce judgment only according to law and evidence