▪ I. dilemma, n.
(dɪˈlɛmə, daɪ-)
Also β. 6–7 (after French) dilemme (dylem).
[a. L. dilemma, a. Gr. δίληµµα double proposition, f. δι-, twice (di-2) + λῆµµα assumption, premiss: see lemma.]
1. In Rhetoric. A form of argument involving an adversary in the choice of two (or, loosely, more) alternatives, either of which is (or appears) equally unfavourable to him. (The alternatives are commonly spoken of as the ‘horns’ of the dilemma.) Hence in Logic, a hypothetical syllogism having a conjunctive or ‘conditional’ major premiss and a disjunctive minor (or, one premiss conjunctive and the other disjunctive).
Very different views have been taken by different logicians as to what syllogisms are properly dilemmas; several of the arguments commonly so called being considered by some writers to be only ordinary conjunctive syllogisms, constructive or destructive. See Fowler, Deductive Logic, v. §4.
| 1523 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 36 They are..excommunicated..w{supt}{suph} a dilemma made concerninge the..Mayor's..perplexitie. 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 34 b, Dilemma, otherwise..called a horned argument, is when the reason consisteth of repugnant members, so that what so ever you graunt, you fall into the snare. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII, Wks. (Bohn) 377 A dilemma, that bishop Morton..used, to raise up the benevolence to higher rates; and some called it his fork, and some his crotch... ‘That if they met with any that were sparing, they should tell them, that they must needs have, because they laid up: and if they were spenders, they must needs have, because it was seen in their port and manner of living’. 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. ii. §154 Thus haue we cast off your dilemma, and broken both the hornes of it. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. iv. Proem 11 A Dilemma is an argumentation from two members, whereof both are attended with incommoditie. 1725 Watts Logic iii. ii. §6 A Dilemma becomes faulty or ineffectual..when it may be retorted with equal force upon him who utters it. 1837–8 Sir W. Hamilton Logic xviii. (1866) I. 351 An hypothetico-disjunctive syllogism is called the dilemma or horned syllogism. Ibid. 352 If the disjunction..has only two members, the syllogism is then called a dilemma in the strict and proper signification. If..three..members, it is called trilemma, etc. 1842 Abp. Thomson Laws Th. §109 (1860) 203 The Dilemma is a complex argument, partaking both of the conditional and disjunctive. 1887 Fowler Deductive Logic 121 In disputation, the adversary who is refuted by a dilemma is said to be ‘fixed on the horns of a dilemma’; he is said to rebut the dilemma, if he meet it by another with an opposite conclusion. Ibid. 122 It seems less arbitrary and more systematic to define dilemma as ‘a syllogism of which one premiss is a conjunctive and the other a disjunctive proposition’. |
| β 1587 A. Fleming Cont. Holinshed III. 1307/2 This bishop, hauing heard all these excuses, vsed this dilemme. 1616 Lane Sq. Tale (1888) 121, I see his saftie and thine maie not bee, bot as Dylems or Contraries agree. |
2. Hence, in popular use: A choice between two (or, loosely, several) alternatives, which are or appear equally unfavourable; a position of doubt or perplexity, a ‘fix’.
| 1590 Greene Neuer too late (1600) 19 Every motion was intangled with a dilemma:..the loue of Francesco gaue such fierce assaults to the bulwarke of her affection..the feare of her Fathers displeasure..draue her to meditate thus. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iv. v. 87 In perplexity, and doubtful dilemma. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv. i. §53 He is reduced to this doleful Dilemma; either voluntarily, by resigning, to depose himself; or violently, by detrusion, to be deposed by others. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 297 Kosciusko was..reduced to the unpleasant dilemma of being obliged either to kill the father or give up the daughter. 1841–44 Emerson Ess., Experience Wks. (Bohn) I. 189 In the dilemma of a swimmer among drowning men, who all catch at him. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. II. liii. 332 They were..in the dilemma of either violating the Constitution or losing a golden opportunity. |
3. Comb. as dilemma-making.
| 1895 Westm. Gaz. 16 Apr. 3/3 Dilemma-making is at best a somewhat puerile..form of dialectic. |
▪ II. diˈlemma, v. rare.
[f. prec. n.]
1. trans. To place in a dilemma; pa. pple. = in a dilemma or ‘fix’.
| 1656 S. H. Gold. Law 44 Both sides are Dilemma'd, and stand postur'd like Lots wife. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 325 Now we were dilemma'd, not knowing what to wish. a 1849 Poe Marginalia Wks. 1864 III. 485 Like a novel-hero dilemma'd, I made up my mind to be guided by circumstances. |
† 2. intr. To be in a dilemma; to hesitate or be in doubt between two alternatives. Obs. rare.
| 1687 R. L'Estrange Answ. Diss. 39 He runs away with the Fact, for Granted; Dilemma's upon it, and so leaves the Matter. |