dilemma

di-, 二。-lemma, 拿，承载，词源同lemma, epilepsy.即两边考虑的，引申词义窘境，两难。

dilemma

dilemma: [16] Dilemma was originally a technical term in rhetoric, denoting a form of argument in which one’s opponent is faced with a choice of two unfavourable alternatives. It comes via Latin dilemma from Greek dilēmma, a compound formed from di- ‘two’ and lēmma ‘proposition, premise’. (Lēmma itself, which English acquired in the 16th century, came ultimately from *lab-, the base of Greek lambánein ‘talk’.) The ‘looser’ general sense ‘choice between unpleasant alternatives’ developed in the late 16th century.

dilemma (n.)

1520s, from Late Latin dilemma, from Greek dilemma "double proposition," a technical term in rhetoric, from di- "two" + lemma "premise, anything received or taken," from root of lambanein "to take" (see analemma). It should be used only of situations where someone is forced to choose between two alternatives, both unfavorable to him. But even logicians disagree on whether certain situations are dilemmas or mere syllogisms.

1. Public policy on the family presents liberals with a dilemma.

有关家庭的公共政策使自由主义者陷入了进退两难的境地。

2. I didn't have a ready answer for this dilemma.

我没有想出解决这个困境的现成答案。

3. to face a dilemma

面临左右为难的困境

4. I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.

这件事使我进退两难.

5. They try to find a way out of their dilemma.

他们试图摆脱困境.