dilemma
Use Dilemma in a sentence
ə noun
1.
a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
2.
any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
3.
Logic. a form of syllogism in which the major premise is formed of two or more hypothetical propositions and the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition, as “If A, then B; if C then D. Either A or C. Therefore, either B or D.”
Origin:
1515–25; < Late Latin < Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- di-1 + lêmma an assumption, premise, derivative of lambánein to take
1515–25; < Late Latin < Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- di-1 + lêmma an assumption, premise, derivative of lambánein to take
Related forms
dil·em·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To dilemma
00:10
Dilemma
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
dilemma (dɪˈlɛmə, daɪ-) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives |
| 2. | a problem that seems incapable of a solution |
| 3. | logic a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s |
| 4. | on the horns of a dilemma |
| a. faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives | |
| b. in an awkward situation | |
| [C16: via Latin from Greek, from | |
| usage The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect | |
| dilemmatic | |
| —adj | |
| dil'emmic | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dilemma
1520s, from L.L. dilemma, from Gk. dilemma "double proposition," a technical term in rhetoric, from di- "two" + lemma "premise, anything received or taken," from root of lambanein "to take" (see analemma). It should be used only of situations where someone is forced to
choose between two alternatives, both unfavorable to him. But even logicians disagree on whether certain situations are dilemmas or mere syllogisms.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
dilemma
in syllogistic, or traditional, logic, any one of several forms of inference in which there are two major premises of hypothetical form and a disjunctive ("either . . . or") minor premise. For example:
Learn more about dilemma with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Your husband should consider this dilemma as much his own as yours.
It happens over the heads of poor parents, as if they are too simple to have an opinion on the dilemma they themselves are living.
He carried the dilemma of whether to intrude or not to intrude.
It's time for solutions, time to stop wringing our hands and lamenting our dilemma.
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