dictum

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an authoritative declaration
  2. noun an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding

Etymology

From Latin dictum (“proverb, maxim”), from dictus (“having been said”), perfect passive participle of dico (“to say”). Compare Spanish dicho (“saying”). Doublet of dict.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pronouncement, say-so

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