dictum

Watson pronounces Holmes’ famous dictum that once you eliminate the impossible, what remains, however improbable, is the truth; he must say it a lot, given the kids’ reaction.

This will be a willful surrender to the age-old, patently illogical dictum that preparing for war is the necessary precondition for peace.

Her solution to this problem is to declare this oft-cited statement “dictum” or a “passing remark.”

Cannon said that this was just “dicta” from the Supreme Court, language unnecessary to its holding, and that she was not bound by it.

The apes honor his memory and vow to keep his teachings, especially the first dictum — “ape not kill ape.”