†(Logic) a complex syllogism which involves more than two alternatives (obsolete); (also more generally) a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between more than two unfavourable alternatives.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William S. Hamilton (1788–1856), philosopher.
Definition of polylemma in US English:
polylemma
noun
†(Logic) a complex syllogism which involves more than two alternatives (obsolete); (also more generally) a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between more than two unfavourable alternatives.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William S. Hamilton (1788–1856), philosopher.