What is the difference between dilemma and lemma?

Answer 1

Dilemma and Lemma are very different concepts.

A lemma is the most basic form of a word, and the usual way one lists words in the dictionary. For example, of the words "running", "runner", "ran", et al., the lemma of these would be "run". Unlike an infinitive, which is the most basic form of a verb, lemmas apply to every form of word. A related concept to a lemma is "lexeme", which is not all that different, it is the most basic idea of a word. A lemma is simply a way of representing a lexeme.

A dilemma (which comes from di-, meaning two, and -lemma, meaning a premise or idea,) is a strict choice between two propositions, ideas, outcomes, or something similar. Usually, the choices within a dilemma are undesirable. For instance, having to choose between being late for work or helping a friend with an unpleasant task is a dilemma. If the issue involves three choices, it is a trilemma; four choices, a tetralemma; five choices, a pentalemma, and so on. Generally, they are all referred to as syllogisms.