Nearby Words

trilemma

[trahy-lem-uh]

tri·lem·ma

[trahy-lem-uh]
noun
1.
a situation, analogous to a dilemma, in which there are three almost equally undesirable alternatives: His trilemma consisted in not knowing whether to acknowledge receipt, deny it, or simply leave.
2.
Logic. a form of argument in which three choices are presented, each of which is indicated to have consequences that may be unfavorable.

Origin:
1665–75; tri- + (di)lemma
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Trilemma is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
trilemma (traɪˈlɛmə)
 
n
1.  a quandary posed by three alternative courses of action
2.  an argument one of the premises of which is the disjunction of three statements from each of which the same conclusion is derived
 
[C17: formed on the model of dilemma, from tri- + Greek lēmma assumption]

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