quandary

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 References 1.3.4 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

16th century. Origin unknown; perhaps a dialectal corruption (simulating a word of Latin origin with suffix -ary) of wandreth (“‘evil, plight, peril, adversity, difficulty’”) < Middle English wandreth < Old Norse vandræði (“‘difficulty, trouble’”) < vandr (“‘difficult, requiring pains and care’”).^[1][2]

[edit] Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˈkwɑn.dri/

[edit] Noun

quandary (plural quandaries)

1. A state of not knowing what to decide; a state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement; a pickle; a predicament.
2. A dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.
   • 1995, Douglas N. Walton & Erik C. W. Krabbe, Commitment in Dialogue: Basic Concepts of Interpersonal Reasoning‎, page 54

     But we may suppose that John has set his priorities in such a way that the quandary is spurious.

   • 2000, Carol Ann Strip & Gretchen Hirsch, Helping Gifted Children Soar‎, page 208

     What a difficult quandary for a bright, talented child!

   • 2004, Jennifer Traig, Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood‎, page 181

     Then I would begin contemplating the next quandary: "Does the Torah say it's okay to portray a hooker, and is a heart of gold a mitigating factor?"

[edit] Synonyms

• perplexity
• uncertainty

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ quandary in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
2. ^ quandary in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

• quandary at OneLook® Dictionary Search

[edit] See also

• doubt
• indecision
• dilemma