Latin: By the way; in passing; incidentally; collaterally. Obiter dictum. A remark made, or opinion expressed, by a judge, in his decision upon a cause, “by the way.” that is, incidentally or collaterally, and not directly upon the question before him, or upon a point not necessarily involved in the determination of the cause, or introduced by way of illustration, or analogy or argument.
OBITER
TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.