dilemma

Meaning

Noun

• A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
• A difficult circumstance or problem.
• A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".
• Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

Origin

• First attested 1523, from Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα ("ambiguous proposition"), from δι- + λῆμμα.