Where does “dilemma” come from?
dilemma (Late Latin) comes from Ancient Greek δίλημμα, from Ancient Greek λῆμμα, from Ancient Greek λαμβάνω, from Proto-Hellenic hlagʷ-, from Proto-Indo-European (s)leh₂gʷ- — to seize, take; to take, seize.
Ancestry of “dilemma”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | δίλημμα | a conclusion from two premises |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | λῆμμα | gain, income; premise, assumption |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | λαμβάνω | I take; I receive, get; I take hold of |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | hlagʷ- | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)leh₂gʷ- | to seize, take; to take, seize |