Wiktionary(1.50 / 4 votes)Rate this definition: 1  dilemma(Noun) A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable. 2  dilemma(Noun) (disputed) A difficult circumstance or problem.
The lathe is an ancient tool, dating at least to ancient Egypt and known to be used in Assyria and ancient Greece. The lathe was very important to the Industrial Revolution. It is known as the mother of machine tools, as it was the first machine tool that lead to the invention of other machine tools.
1) a single pictorial representation of a lathe from the 3rd century BC; 2) a few references to lathes and turning in Greek and Roman literature; and. 3) a limited quantity of the physical remains of turned products and turned waste.