pronouncement, dictum, say-so
(noun) an authoritative declaration
Source: WordNet® 3.1
dicta
plural of dictum
Source: Wiktionary
Dic"ta, n. pl. Etym: [L.]
Definition: See Dictum.
Dic"tum, n.; pl. L. Dicta, E. Dictums. Etym: [L., neuter of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Ditto.]
1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an apothegm. A class of critical dicta everywhere current. M. Arnold.
2. (Law) (a) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it. (b) (French Law) The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it. Bouvier. (c) An arbitrament or award.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
29 May 2025
(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
