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Quandary

//ˈkwɒn.də.ɹi// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun

1
A locality in the Temora council area, central New South Wales, Australia.

Noun

1
A state of not knowing what to decide; a state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement.
"As a Hitchin signalman once pointed out to me, when a regulating quandary arises concerning a fast-moving Class A train there is no time to consult Control and get their answer before the express is on one's doorstep."
2
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options wordnet
3
A dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.
"To quote the oracle of Delphi, / Love thou thy neighbor as thyself, aye, / And hate him as thyself thou hatest. / There quandary is at its greatest."
4
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one wordnet

Etymology

16th century. Origin unknown; perhaps a dialectal corruption (simulating a word of Latin origin with suffix -ary) of wandreth (“evil, plight, peril, adversity, difficulty”), from Middle English wandreth, from Old Norse vandræði (“difficulty, trouble”), from vándr (“difficult, requiring pains and care”).

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