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quandary
[
kwon
-d
uh
-ree
,
-dree
]
Origin
quan·da·ry
/
ˈkwɒn
də
ri
,
-dri
/
Show Spelled
[
kwon
-d
uh
-ree
,
-dree
]
Show IPA
noun,
plural
quan·da·ries.
a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma.
Origin:
1570–80;
perhaps fancifully <
Latin
quand
(
ō
) when +
-āre
infinitive suffix
Synonyms
See
predicament.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Quandary
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Quandary
is always a great word to know.
So is
flibbertigibbet
. Does it mean:
So is
callithumpian
. Does it mean:
So is
ort
. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
quandary
(ˈkwɒndrɪ, -dərɪ)
—
n
,
pl
-ries
a situation or circumstance that presents problems difficult to solve; predicament; dilemma
[C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Latin
quandō
when]
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
quandary
1579, "state of perplexity," of unknown origin, perhaps a quasi-Latinism based on L. quando "when."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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Quandary
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Quandary
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