dile

n. [ L. dilemma, Gr. &unr_;; di- = di`s- twice + &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 elude 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A strong dilemma in a desperate case!
To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Horns of a dilemma, alternatives, each of which is equally difficult of encountering. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A dilettante. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though few art lovers can be connoisseurs, many are dilettants. Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to dilettanteism; amateur; as, dilettant speculation. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Dilettanti [ It., prop. p. pr. of dillettare to take delight in, fr. L. delectare to delight. See Delight, v. t. ] An admirer or lover of the fine arts; popularly, an amateur; especially, one who follows an art or a branch of knowledge, desultorily, or for amusement only. [ 1913 Webster ]

The true poet is not an eccentric creature, not a mere artist living only for art, not a dreamer or a dilettante, sipping the nectar of existence, while he keeps aloof from its deeper interests. J. C. Shairp. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Somewhat like a dilettante. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being a dilettante; the desultory pursuit of art, science, or literature. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Dilettanteish. [ 1913 Webster ]