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.
As the only machine tool able to produce a replica of itself, the lathe can not only turn, bore, grind, drill and generate screw threads but even, with a few simple modifications, be converted into milling machine - or even a shaper - capable of producing flat surfaces.