quan·da·ry

[kwon-duh-ree, -dree]
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


See predicament.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To quandary
Collins
World English Dictionary
quandary (ˈkwɒndrɪ, -dərɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
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
00:10
Quandary is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
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
Example sentences
If the poor addict had only a choice between these two addictions, there would
  be little quandary.
We have long been in a quandary over a name for the boat.
Some consumers find themselves in a quandary over environmental issues.
The discovery helps to clear up a quandary.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT