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Dilemma

//daɪˈlɛmə// noun

Definitions

Noun

1
A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
"A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place."
2
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options wordnet
3
Any difficult circumstance or problem.
4
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".
5
Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives. rhetoric

Etymology

PIE word *dwóh₁ First attested 1523, from Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (dílēmma, “ambiguous proposition”), from δι- (di-, “having two of”) + λῆμμα (lêmma, “premise, proposition”).

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