DILEMMA

dilemma, quandary

(noun) state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

dilemma (plural dilemmas or dilemmata)

A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

Synonym: Thesaurus:dilemma

A difficult circumstance or problem.

Synonyms: bind, fix, pickle, problem, quandary

(logic) A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".

(rhetoric) Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

Usage notes

Occasionally misspelled as dilemna, perhaps originally via false analogy with words such as condemn, solemn, and hymn. This spelling has been reportedly taught in many regions of Great Britain and the United States as well as around the world; and can be found in the works of many well-known authors (e.g. Isaac Watts, Defoe & Goldsmith).

Anagrams

• midmeal

Source: Wiktionary

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Di*lem"ma, n. Etym: [L. dilemma, Gr. Lemma.]

1. (Logic)

Definition: An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses.

Note: The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to dilemma. "If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the judge's award will be against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause." "On the contrary," says the master, "if you gain your cause, you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it." Johnson.

2. A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position. A strong dilemma in a desperate case! To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift. Horns of a dilemma, alternatives, each of which is equally difficult of encountering.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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