different between dictum vs enactment

English

Etymology

From Latin dictum (“proverb, maxim”), from dictus (“having been said”), perfect passive participle of dico (“I say”). Compare Spanish dicho (“saying”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?d?k.t?m/

Noun

dictum (plural dicta or dictums)

1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.
   • 1949, Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart, Earth Abides

     ...a dictum which he had heard an economics professor once propound...

2. A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it.
3. The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
4. An arbitrament or award.

See also

• ipse dixit

Translations

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?dik.tum/, [?d??kt????]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /?dik.tum/, [?d?ikt?um]

Etymology 1

Neuter form of dictus (“said, spoken”), past passive participle of d?c? (“to say, to speak”).

Noun

dictum n (genitive dict?); second declension

1. a word, saying, something said
2. proverb, maxim, saw
3. bon mot, witticism

   Synonym: dict?rium

4. verse, poetry
5. a prophesy, prediction
6. order, command
7. promise, assurance

Declension

Second-declension noun (neuter).

Related terms

Descendants

Further reading

• dictum in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• dictum in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• dictum in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• dictum in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• Carl Meissner; Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book?^[1], London: Macmillan and Co.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the main entry.

Participle

dictum

1. inflection of dictus:
   1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular
   2. accusative masculine singular

Verb

dictum

1. accusative supine of d?c?

Norwegian Nynorsk

Noun

dictum n (definite singular dictumet, indefinite plural dicta or dictum, definite plural dicta or dictaa or dictai or dictuma or dictumi)

1. form removed with the spelling reform of 2012; superseded by diktum

Spanish

Noun

dictum m (plural dictums)

1. dictum

English

Etymology

From enact +? -ment.

Noun

enactment (countable and uncountable, plural enactments)

1. The act of enacting, or the state of being enacted.

   The actors' powerful enactment of the play was breathtaking.

   The enactment of this law will be a great step backward for our country.

2. (law) A piece of legislation that has been properly authorized by a legislative body.

   The enactments passed by the council that year included sweeping reforms.

Related terms

• reenactment

Translations