dilemma
English
/daɪˈlɛmə/
noun
Definitions
- A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
- A difficult circumstance or problem.
- (logic) 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".
- (rhetoric) Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dilemma derived from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (double proposition, ambiguous proposition).
Origin
Ancient Greek
δίλημμα
Gloss
double proposition, ambiguous proposition