About The Word Dilemma
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
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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