Dictum: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
dictum
[ หdษชktษm ]
legal terminology
A dictum is an authoritative statement or pronouncement, often in a legal context. It may refer to something said by a judge that is not essential to the decision in the case, thus not legally binding but may carry persuasive value. Dicta are typically used to clarify the reasoning behind a decision, offering guidance for future cases. The term has origins in legal writing where judges offer opinions that, while not part of the formal ruling, provide insight into the law.
Synonyms
advice, pronouncement, statement
Examples of usage
- The court's dictum provided clarity on the legal principles involved.
- In her ruling, the judge issued a dictum that was widely discussed among legal scholars.
- While the dictum is not binding, it can influence lower courts' decisions.
- The legal community often quotes famous dicta from landmark cases.
Translations
Translations of the word "dictum" in other languages:
๐ต๐น dizer
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคเฅเคคเคฟ
๐ฉ๐ช Aussage
๐ฎ๐ฉ pernyataan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒะธัะปัะฒ
๐ต๐ฑ powiedzenie
๐ฏ๐ต ่จ่
๐ซ๐ท dicton
๐ช๐ธ dicho
๐น๐ท sรถz
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ง
๐ธ๐ฆ ููู
๐จ๐ฟ vรฝrok
๐ธ๐ฐ vyjadrenie
๐จ๐ณ ้่ฟฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ izrek
๐ฎ๐ธ orรฐ
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัำฉะท
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแงแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sรถz
๐ฒ๐ฝ dicho
Etymology
The term 'dictum' originates from Latin, meaning 'that which is said'. In legal contexts, it denotes commentary or opinions expressed by a judge or court that are not essential to the resolution of a case but may still impart valuable insights into the interpretation of laws. The use of 'dicta' (the plural form of dictum) has evolved within the legal profession where such statements are regarded for their potential impact on future judicial decisions. Legal professionals often study notable dicta to ascertain trends in judicial reasoning or to understand better the underlying principles that inform legal decisions.