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Webster 1913 Edition


Predicament

Pre-dic′a-ment

,
Noun.
[Cf. F.
prédicament
, L.
praedicamentum
. See
Predicate
.]
1.
A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state; especially, an unfortunate or trying position or condition.
“O woeful sympathy; piteous predicament!”
Shak.
2.
(Logic)
See
Category
.
Syn. – Category; condition; state; plight.

Webster 1828 Edition


Predicament

PREDIC'AMENT

,
Noun.
[L. proedicamentum, from proedico, to affirm.]
1.
In logic, a category; a series or order of all the predicates or attributes contained under any genus. The school philosophers distribute all the objects of our thoughts and ideas into genera or classes, which the Greeks call categories, and the Latins predicaments. Aristotle made ten categories, viz. substance, quantity, quality, relation, action, passion, time, place, situation and habit.
2.
Class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state.
We say, the country is in a singular predicament.