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obfuscate
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obiter dictum
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obiter dictum

o·bi·ter dic·tum [ bitər díktəm ] (plural o·bi·ter dic·ta [ bitər díktə ])


noun 
Definition:
 
1. judge's observation: an observation made by a judge that is incidental to the case being tried and, while being authoritative, is not binding on future courts under the doctrine of precedent

2. passing comment: a comment made in passing

[Early 19th century. < Latin, "said by the way, said in passing"]
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