What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Motto vs Dictum - What's the difference?

motto | dictum |

As nouns the difference between motto and dictum

is that motto is a sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement while dictum is an authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.

motto

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.
  • A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.
  • * (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)
    • It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
    • , chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
      Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer, / With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. […]”}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    dictum

    English

    (wikipedia dictum)

    Noun

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