trilemma Meaning, Definition & Usage

Tri*lem"ma noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. (see Tri-) + any thing received, in logic, an assumption. Cf. Dilemma.
Definitions
  1. (Logic) A syllogism with three conditional propositions, the major premises of which are disjunctively affirmed in the minor. See Dilemma.
  2. A state of things in which it is difficult to determine which one of three courses to pursue.

Webster 1913