Both Uses of
dictum
in
Dune
- The delicacy of his position here, alone and dependent upon the Convention and the dictum familia of the Great Houses, fretted him.†
Book 3 *
- DICTUM FAMILIA: that rule of the Great Convention which prohibits the slaying of a royal person or member of a Great House by informal treachery.†
Book Term
Definition:
-
(dictum) a short saying intended to make a pointin various senses, including:
- a popular saying -- such as "Nothing is certain but death and taxes."
- a formal declaration from a respected source -- such as the Constitution's statement that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"
- a non-binding remark in a judge's opinion -- short for obiter dictum