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.
Historical Examples. 1  A full complement of men worked at every lathe, table, drill or saw. 2  The lathe painted to look like iron is seen to be but a lathe. 3  A lathe tool, if merely hardened, would be useless for that purpose. 4  The arc of the curved end depends on the kind of lathe and the size of the work.