dictum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈdɪk.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈdik.tum]^[1]

Forms

dictum n (genitive dictī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter of dictus “said”, the participle of dīcō “to say”, used as a noun.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of words spoken and of a saying.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant what is said, an utterance, one's words, and a saying, witty remark, maxim, as in Plautus.^[2] Etymonline adds the senses of a prophecy and an order.^[3]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a word, saying, command.^[5] Medieval Latin used it for an arbitral award.^[6] It survives in Italian detto, French dit and Spanish dicho, and was borrowed into English as dicte “a saying” in the late 14th century and as English dictum in the 1660s.^[1][3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of an utterance and a saying.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English dicte is recorded.^[3]
• 1660s – English dictum is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. What is said; one's words.^[2]
2. A saying, remark, maxim.^[2]
3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A command.^[5]
4. (Medieval Latin) An arbitral award.^[6]

Word family

• dictiōsus
• ēdictum

Related words

• dīcō
• dictābolārium
• dictāmen
• dictāta
• dictātiō
• dictātiuncula
• dictātor
• dictātōrius
• dictātrīx
• dictātūra
• English dictum

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill