dicta

[dik-tuh]

noun

a plural of dictum.

dictum

[dik-tuhm]

noun, plural dic·ta

[dik-tuh] /ˈdɪk tə/, dic·tums.

an authoritative pronouncement; judicial assertion.
a saying; maxim.
obiter dictum.

Origin of dictum

1660–70; < Latin: something said, a saying, command, word, noun use of neuter past participle of dīcere to say, speak; cf. index

Synonyms

1. edict, decree, fiat, order, declaration. 2. adage, proverb, truism, saw.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dicta

Contemporary Examples

From here on, he was a philosopher, a sage, and his interviews were stuffed full of dicta, parables and eternal paradoxes.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers
Nik Cohn
February 9, 2014
Although such concerns only appear as dicta in Baby Girl, there is no question that they are present.
Close Call for Native American Rights in Ruling on Baby Girl
Marcia Zug
June 26, 2013

Historical Examples

These dicta are all tried and true, but they have the failings common to platitudes.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
The two dicta are in direct opposition, yet both may be accepted.
Proverb Lore
F. Edward Hulme
He was not accustomed to hear his dicta even so slightly questioned by a lad.
Sturdy and Strong
G. A. Henty
With this apology I come to some among the dicta current in my time.
Tennyson and His Friends
Various
Laurie then was not in the most favorable of moods to receive the dicta of the Vicar.
The Necromancers
Robert Hugh Benson

British Dictionary definitions for dicta

dicta

noun

a plural of dictum

dictum

noun plural -tums or -ta (-tə)

a formal or authoritative statement or assertion; pronouncement
a popular saying or maxim
law See obiter dictum

Word Origin

C16: from Latin, from dīcere to say

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dicta

dictum

n.

1660s, from Latin dictum "thing said (a saying, bon-mot, prophecy, etc.), an order, command," neuter of dictus, past participle of dicere "say" (see diction). In legal use, a judge's expression of opinion which is not the formal resolution of a case.

dicta

dictum

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}dictum

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for dicta

Contemporary Examples

From here on, he was a philosopher, a sage, and his interviews were stuffed full of dicta, parables and eternal paradoxes.

Although such concerns only appear as dicta in Baby Girl, there is no question that they are present.

Historical Examples

These dicta are all tried and true, but they have the failings common to platitudes.

The two dicta are in direct opposition, yet both may be accepted.

He was not accustomed to hear his dicta even so slightly questioned by a lad.

With this apology I come to some among the dicta current in my time.

Laurie then was not in the most favorable of moods to receive the dicta of the Vicar.

dicta

dictum

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for dicta

dictum

n.

Origin of dictum