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obiter dictum

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ob⋅i⋅ter dic⋅tum

[ob-i-ter dik-tuhm]
–noun, plural ob⋅i⋅ter dic⋅ta [ob-i-ter dik-tuh] .
1. an incidental or passing remark, opinion, etc.
2. Law. an incidental or supplementary opinion by a judge in deciding a case, upon a matter not essential to the decision, and therefore not binding as precedent.

Origin:
1805–15; < L: (a) saying by the way
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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o·bi·ter dictum   (ō'bĭ-tər)   
n.   pl. obiter dicta
  1. Law An opinion voiced by a judge that has only incidental bearing on the case in question and is therefore not binding. Also called dictum.

  2. An incidental remark or observation; a passing comment.


[Latin, something said in passing : obiter, in passing + dictum, something said, from neuter past participle of dīcere, to say.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: obi·ter dic·tum
Pronunciation: 'O-bi-t&r-'dik-t&m, 'ä-bi-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural obiter dic·ta /-t&/
Etymology: Late Latin, literally, something said in passing
: an incidental and collateral remark that is uttered or written by a judge but is not binding : DICTUM
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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