Dī-lēm'mā, n.

n. [Lat. dilemma, Gr. δίλημμα, from δι, for δις, twice, double, and λαμβάνειν, to take, λῆμμα, any thing received, in logic an assumption.]

1Sense 1. (Logic.) An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses.

The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to elude his claim by a dilemma. “If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the judge’s award will be against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause.” “On the contrary,” says the master, “if you gain your cause, you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it.” Johnson.

2Sense 2. A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a difficult or doubtful choice.

A strong dilemma in a desperate case! To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift.