Problem with three possible outcomes

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 A circumstance in which a choice must be made between three options that seem equally undesirable. 2 (context logic English) An argument containing three alternatives, jointly exhaustive either under any condition(s) or under all condition(s) consistent ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Trilemma \Tri*lem"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (see Tri- ) + ? any thing received, in logic, an assumption. Cf. Dilemma .] (Logic) A syllogism with three conditional propositions, the major premises of which are disjunctively affirmed in the minor. See Dilemma ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
A trilemma is a difficult choice from three options, each of which is (or appears) unacceptable or unfavourable. There are two logically equivalent ways in which to express a trilemma: it can be expressed as a choice among three unfavourable options, one ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1670s, from dilemma + tri- .