dilemma

noun

Etymology: PIE word *dwóh₁ First attested 1523, from Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (dílēmma, “ambiguous proposition”), from δι- (di-, “having two of”) + λῆμμα (lêmma, “premise, proposition”), equivalent to di- + lemma.

1. A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

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

2. Any difficult circumstance or problem.
3. 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".
4. Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.