obiter dictum

noun

obi·​ter dic·​tum ˌō-bə-tər-ˈdik-təm 

ˌä-

plural obiter dicta ˌō-bə-tər-ˈdik-tə 

ˌä-

1

: an incidental and collateral opinion that is uttered by a judge but is not binding

2

: an incidental remark or observation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin, "something said in passing"

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

obiter dictum

noun

obi·​ter dic·​tum ˈō-bi-tər-ˈdik-təm, ˈä-bi- 

plural obiter dicta -tə 

: an incidental and collateral remark that is uttered or written by a judge but is not binding : dictum

Etymology

Late Latin, literally, something said in passing