noun
dictum
Dictum (noun) means a confident, formal statement that people treat as true, or a well-known short saying.
noun
1
A confident, formal statement that people treat as true, or a well-known short saying.
"But this is not the philosophical revolution of which I speak. What Warhol's dictum amounted to was that you cannot tell when something is a work of art just by looking at it, for there is no particular way that art has to look."
— Arthur Coleman Danto, Beyond the Brillo Box (1992)
"1. The utmost in steam producing capacity permitted by weight and dimensions; in other words, capacity to boil water—H. A. Ivatt's old dictum."
— , British Standard Locomotives (1951)
2
(law) A judge's remark on a point that is not central to the case being decided.
3
The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
4
A formal decision given to settle a dispute.
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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.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of dictum?
"dictum" (noun) means a confident, formal statement that people treat as true, or a well-known short saying.
What is another word for dictum?
Other words for "dictum" include pronouncement.
What are the different meanings of dictum?
"dictum" has 3 main meanings: 1. A confident, formal statement that people treat as true, or a well-known short saying; 2. (law) A judge's remark on a point that is not central to the case being decided; 3. The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
