definitions

dicta

[ dik-tuh ]
/ ˈdɪk tə /
||

noun

a plural of dictum.

RELATED WORDS

precept, adage, aphorism, maxim, axiom, gnome, truism, apothegm, rule, moral, motto, saw, edict, fiat, dictate, assertion, affirmation, command, declaration, order

Nearby words

dicrotic notch, dicrotic pulse, dicrotic wave, dicrotism, dict., dicta, dictaphone, dictate, dictating machine, dictation, dictator

Definition for dicta (2 of 2)

dictum

[ dik-tuhm ]
/ ˈdɪk təm /

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 FOR dictum
1 edict, decree, fiat, order, declaration.
2 adage, proverb, truism, saw.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dicta

British Dictionary definitions for dicta (1 of 2)

dicta

/ (ˈdɪktə) /

noun

a plural of dictum

British Dictionary definitions for dicta (2 of 2)

dictum

/ (ˈdɪktəm) /

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 for dictum

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper