lemma-, lemmata- +

A scale, found on some sundials and globes, that is shaped like a figure eight and marked to indicate the declination of the sun and to allow the calculation of apparent solar time.

Originally from Greek "to take; to take up, to support".

1. A situation in which someone must choose one of two unsatisfactory alternatives.
2. In logic, a form of reasoning that, though valid, leads to two undesirable alternatives.
3. A quandary (s), quandaries (pl); or a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or indecision as to what to do in a difficult situation. A misspelling of quandary is seen as "quandry".
4. Etymology: from Late Latin dilemma, which came from Greek dilemma, "double proposition".

This is a technical term in rhetoric, from di-, "two" + lemma, "premise, anything received or taken" from the root of <>lambanein, "to take".

It should be used only in situations where someone is forced to choose between two alternatives, both unfavorable to him or her.

1. In botany: The outer or lower of two bracts surrounding, or enclosing, the flower of a grass spikelet [small spike].
2. In logic, a proposition that is assumed to be true in order to test the validity of another proposition.
3. An assumption taken for granted; something received; assumption; premise.
4. In publishing, a heading that indicates the topic of a work or passage.
5. In publications, a term that is defined in a glossary; the heading or theme of a scholium, annotation, or gloss.
6. The argument or subject of a literary composition, prefixed as a heading or title; also, a motto appended to a picture, etc.
7. In mathematics, a proposition assumed or demonstrated that is subsidiary to some other proposition.

To sort (words as they occur in a text) so as to group together those that are inflected or variant forms of the same word.

An argument analogous to a dilemma, involving five alternatives.

A complex syllogism resembling a dilemma but involving several alternatives.

A dilemma in which one choice is less repugnant than the other one.

In logic, a position presenting four alternatives.

1. A situation, or (in Logic) a syllogism, of the nature of a dilemma, but involving three alternatives instead of two.
2. A situation offering three undesirable options.
3. A circumstance in which a choice has to be made among three possible courses of action; especially, if the options are equally unpleasant.

World economies are in a trilemma, not just a dilemma

As the world economy struggles to recover from its various ailments, the international financial order is coming underr increased scrutiny.

Currencies and exchange rates, in particular, are getting a hard look.

In thinking about these issues, the place to start is with what economists call the fundamental trilemma of international finance.

Trilemma describes a situation in which someone faces a choice among three options, each with some inevitable problems.

What is the trilemma in international finance?

The trilemma stems from the fact that in most nations, economic policy makers would like to achieve these three goals:

• Make the country's economy open to international flows of capital.
• Use monetary policy as a tool to help stabilize the economy.
• Maintain stability in the currency exchange rate.

Without doubt, the financial system presents policy makers with difficult tradeoffs. Americans should not be too harsh when other nations facing the trilemma reach conclusions different from their own.

In this area of economic policy, as well as many others, there is room for reasonable nations to disagree.