Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dilemma \Di*lem"ma\, n. [L. dilemma, Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice +
   ? to take. See {Lemma}.]
   1. (Logic) An argument which presents an antagonist with two
      or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against
      him, whichever alternative he chooses.

   Note: 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 ?lude 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.

   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 vexatious alternative or
      predicament; a difficult choice or position.

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

   {Horns of a dilemma}, alternatives, each of which is equally
      difficult of encountering.

Source : WordNet®

dilemma
     n : state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a
         choice between equally unfavorable options [syn: {quandary}]