Hypertext Webster Gateway: "dilemma"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Dilemma \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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

dilemma
n : state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a
choice between equally unfavorable options [syn: {quandary}]


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