Both Uses of
dictum
in
John Adams by McCullough
- "Facts are stubborn things," he told the jury, "and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictums of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."†
Subsection 1.1.2
- A huge, red-faced young man of inexhaustible energy, Chase refused to accept the dictum that Maryland's delegates must vote down independence.†
Subsection 1.2.3 *
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