The Only Use of
dictum
in
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
- No service was too humble for him to perform in the aid of the South, no adventure to perilous for him to undertake if consistent with the character of a civilian who was at heart a soldier, and who in good faith and without too much qualification assented to at least a part of the frankly villainous dictum that all is fair in love and war.†
dictum = saying
Definition:
a short saying intended to make a point
in 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