obiter dictum
[ ob-i-ter dik-tuh m ]
/ ˈɒb ɪ tər ˈdɪk təm /
noun, plural ob·i·ter dic·ta [ob-i-ter dik-tuh] /ˈɒb ɪ tər ˈdɪk tə/.
an incidental or passing remark, opinion, etc.
Law.
an incidental or supplementary opinion by a judge in deciding a case, upon a matter not essential to the decision, and therefore not binding as precedent.
Origin of obiter dictum
1805–15; < Latin: (a) saying by the way
Words nearby obiter dictum
obfuscation,
obi,
obie,
obiit,
obit,
obiter dictum,
obituary,
obj.,
object,
object ball,
object choice
British Dictionary definitions for obiter dictum
obiter dictum
/ (ˈɒbɪtə ˈdɪktəm, ˈəʊ-) /
noun plural obiter dicta (ˈdɪktə)
law
an observation by a judge on some point of law not directly in issue in the case before him and thus neither requiring his decision nor serving as a precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority
any comment, remark, or observation made in passing
Word Origin for obiter dictum
Latin: something said in passing