Dĭc'tum or Dĭc'ta, n.

n.; pl. Dĭc'ta. [Lat., from dicere, to say; Fr. dictum, dicton.]

1. An authoritative saying or assertion. “A class of critical dicta every where current.” M. Arnold.
2. (Law.) (a.) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it. (b.) (Fr. Law.) The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it. Bouvier.