You searched for: “dictum
dictum (s) (noun), dicta (pl)
1. A saying or utterance: sometimes used with emphasis upon the fact that it is a mere saying; but more often with the implication of a formal pronouncement claiming or carrying some authority: Medical doctors are required to follow the dictum of "First, do no harm."
2. A short statement that expresses a general truth or principle: There is an old dictum which states that blood is thicker than water.
3. A thing that is generally said; a current saying; a maxim: The elderly woman had a dictum that stated that, "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."
4. In Law, an expression of an opinion by a judge on a matter of law, which is not the formal resolution or determination of a court: The judge repeated his legal brief as if it were the dictum of a higher court.
5. Etymology: derived from the Latin word dicere, "to say".
A formal pronouncement from an authoritative source.
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This entry is located in the following unit: dic-, dict- (page 4)
Word Entries containing the term: “dictum
Nil dictum quod non dictum prius. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "Nothing has been said that has not been said before."

An alternate meaning is: "How difficult it is to be original."

This entry is located in the following units: dic-, dict- (page 7) Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group N (page 3)
Nullumst iam dictum quod non sit dictum prius. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "Nothing is ever said that has not been said before."

From Publius Terentius Afer (c. 185 - 159 B.C.). Terence was the son of a Libyan slave and was born at Carthage. Cicero and Horace admired him for the urbanity and polish of his plays; Caesar praised his love of "pure speech".

obiter dictum (s) (noun); obiter dicta (pl)
In law, an expression of opinion on a matter of law, given by a judge in court in the course of either an argument or a judgment, but not forming an essential part of the reasons determining the decision, and therefore not a legally binding authority: "Generally, obiter dictum means anything said as an incidental statement or remark made by a judge and is not part of a final decision."

"When an obiter dictum is stated by a judge, it can be an opinion that may have some influence over the jury and the lawyers present; so, it is an opinion based on experience and wisdom but which has not been thoroughly researched, is not entered into a judgment, and so it has no legal force."

This entry is located in the following units: dic-, dict- (page 7) Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group O (page 1)
ut dictum; ut dict.; u.d. (Latin terms)
Translation: "As directed."
This entry is located in the following units: dic-, dict- (page 9) Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group U (page 2)
Word Entries at Get Words: “dictum
A short statement or utterance which is meant to express a principle, a formal pronouncement, or truth from an authoritative source. (1)