dilemma

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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. 2
   noun

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

3. 3
   noun

   Any difficult circumstance or problem.

4. 4
   noun

   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. 5
   noun

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

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”).