DILDO
Dil"do, n.
Defn: A burden in popular songs. [Obs.]
Delicate burthens of dildos and fadings. Shak.
DILDO
Dil"do, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A columnar cactaceous plant of the West Indies (Cereus
Swartzii).
DILECTION
Di*lec"tion, n. Etym: [L. dilectio: dilection. See Diligent.]
Defn: Love; choice. [Obs.] T. Martin.
DILEMMA
Di*lem"ma, n. Etym: [L. dilemma, Gr. Lemma.]
1. (Logic)
Defn: An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses.
Note: 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 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.