Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DI-LEM'MA, n. [Gr. διλημμα, a syllogism which strikes on each side; δις and λημμα, an assumption, from λαμβανω, to take.]

1. In logic, an argument equally conclusive by contrary suppositions. A young rhetorician said to an old sophist: “Instruct me in pleading, and I will pay you, when I gain a cause.” The master sued for the reward, and the scholar endeavored to elude the claim by a dilemma. If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the award of the judge will be against you. If I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause.” The master replied: “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 difficult or doubtful choice; 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 strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place. – Swift.