Word: dictum (noun)

Associations

"Dictum" is a formal word that means a statement or an authoritative saying. It is often used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a remark or observation made by a judge or an expert, but it can also mean any wise or notable statement.

• In law: "The judge's dictum clarified the interpretation of the law." Here, dictum means a comment made by the judge that is not part of the official decision but still important.
• In everyday speech: "Her dictum about honesty inspired everyone." Here, it means a wise or notable statement.
• In writing: "The book is full of interesting dicta about life." "Dicta" is the plural form of dictum.

Synonym: "saying" or "remark." The difference is that "dictum" sounds more formal and often implies authority or importance, while "saying" is more casual.

Substitution

You can replace "dictum" with:

• Saying (less formal, more common)
• Remark (more neutral, can be formal or informal)
• Observation (focuses on noticing something)
• Pronouncement (formal, often official or public)

Each substitution changes the tone or formality slightly.

Deconstruction

"Dictum" comes from Latin, where it means "something said." It is related to the verb "dicere," which means "to say" or "to speak." The root "dic-" appears in many English words related to speaking, like "dictate," "dictionary," and "predict."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you might hear a "dictum" in real life?
• Have you ever heard a wise or important statement that people remember? Could that be called a dictum?
• How does the formal tone of "dictum" affect the way you use it compared to "saying" or "remark"?