noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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dĭk′təm
UK, US:/ˈdɪk.təm/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɪktəm
CMU ARPABET:D IH1 K T AH0 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An arbitrament or award.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
an authoritative declaration
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pronouncement, say-so
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: declaration
Narrower terms: directive
6
noun
Meaning 6
an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
From Latin dictum (“proverb, maxim”), from dictus (“having been said”), perfect passive participle of dico (“to say”). Compare Spanish dicho (“saying”). Doublet of dict.
Across languages
Translations
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.