dictum
/ˈdɪktəm/
noun
- A short, formal statement that expresses a general truth or rule of behavior.
- The old dictum 'honesty is the best policy' still holds true today.
- Her personal dictum was to treat others the way she wanted to be treated.
- In business, the dictum 'the customer is always right' guides many decisions.
- An authoritative statement or opinion, especially one made by a judge in a court of law.
- The lawyer cited a dictum from a Supreme Court ruling to support her argument.
- Legal scholars often debate the meaning of a dictum from a famous case.
- The judge's dictum about the importance of a fair trial was widely quoted.