About The Word Dilemma
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Learn about the word Dilemma to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Dilemma definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.
Dilemma
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Dilemma Definition And Meaning |
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What's The Definition Of Dilemma?
[n] state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
Synonyms | Synonyms for Dilemma: quandary Related Terms | Find terms related to Dilemma: Aristotelian sorites | baffle | bafflement | bewilderment | bind | bother | box | catch-22 | categorical syllogism | choice of Hercules | confoundment | confusion | corner | crux | deadlock | difficulty | discomposure | disconcert | disconcertedness | disconcertion | disconcertment | disturbance | embarrassment | enigma | enthymeme | figure | fix | Goclenian sorites | Gordian knot | hole | impasse | jam | knot | knotty point | mode | modus tollens | mood | mystery | mystification | no choice | node | nodus | nonplus | only choice | oxymoron | paradox | paralogism | perplexity | perturbation | pickle | plight | pons asinorum | poser | pother | predicament | problem | prosyllogism | pseudosyllogism | puzzle | puzzlement | quandary | riddle | rule | rule of deduction | scrape | Scylla and Charybdis | snooker | sorites | spot | squeeze | stalemate | stew | stymie | syllogism | teaser | trouble | unassuredness | upset | vexed question See Also | double bind | perplexity Dilemma In Webster's Dictionary \Di*lem"ma\, n. [L. dilemma, Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice +
? to take. See {Lemma}.]
1. (Logic) 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 ?lude his
claim by a 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.
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