Adjacent Words

Problem definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PROB'LEM, n. [L. problema; Gr. to throw forward, and to throw; L. pello.] A question proposed.
1. In logic, a preposition that appears neither absolutely true nor false, and consequently may be asserted either in the affirmative or negative.
2. In geometry, a proposition in which some operation or construction is required, as to divide a line or an angle, to let fall a perpendicular, etc.
3. In general, any question involving doubt or uncertainty, and requiring some operation, experiment or further evidence for its solution.
The problem is, whether a strong and constant belief that a thing will be, helps any thing to the effecting of the thing.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved; "she and her husband are having problems"; "it is always a job to contact him"; "urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog" [syn: problem, job]
2: a question raised for consideration or solution; "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"
3: a source of difficulty; "one trouble after another delayed the job"; "what's the problem?" [syn: trouble, problem]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English probleme, from Latin problema, from Greek probl?ma, literally, obstacle, from proballein to throw forward, from pro- forward + ballein to throw — more at pro-, devil Date: 14th century 1. a. a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution b. a proposition in mathematics or physics stating something to be done 2. a. an intricate unsettled question b. a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation c. difficulty in understanding or accepting <I have a problem with your saying that> Synonyms: see mystery II. adjective Date: 1894 1. dealing with a problem of conduct or social relationship <a problem play> 2. difficult to deal with <a problem child>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a doubtful or difficult matter requiring a solution (how to prevent it is a problem; the problem of ventilation). 2 something hard to understand or accomplish or deal with. 3 (attrib.) a causing problems; difficult to deal with (problem child). b (of a play, novel, etc.) in which a social or other problem is treated. 4 a Physics & Math. an inquiry starting from given conditions to investigate or demonstrate a fact, result, or law. b Geom. a proposition in which something has to be constructed (cf. THEOREM). 5 a (in various games, esp. chess) an arrangement of men, cards, etc., in which the solver has to achieve a specified result. b a puzzle or question for solution. Etymology: ME f. OF probleme or L problema f. Gk problema -matos f. proballo (as PRO-(2), ballo throw)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Problem Prob"lem, n. [F. probl[`e]me, L. problema, fr. Gr. ? anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. ? to throw or lay before; ? before, forward + ? to throw. Cf. Parable. ] 1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. --Bacon. 2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity. Note: Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles. Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass. Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(problems) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. A problem is a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people. ...the economic problems of the inner city... The main problem is unemployment... He told Americans that solving the energy problem was very important... N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of/with n 2. A problem is a puzzle that requires logical thought or mathematics to solve it. With mathematical problems, you can save time by approximating. N-COUNT 3. Problem children or problem families have serious problems or cause serious problems for other people. In some cases a problem child is placed in a special school... = difficult ADJ: ADJ n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Question (to be solved), enigma, puzzle, riddle, moot point, point in dispute, point to be solved or settled, question at issue, vexed question.

Moby Thesaurus

Chinese puzzle, ado, aggravation, annoyance, anxiety, bad news, baffle, bafflement, baffling problem, basis, bedevilment, besetment, bewilderment, blemish, bone of contention, bore, bother, botheration, bothersomeness, brain twister, bug, bugaboo, bugbear, burden, can of worms, case, catch, catechism, chapter, complication, concern, confoundment, confusion, conundrum, count, crack, crashing bore, cross-interrogatory, cross-question, crossword puzzle, crux, debating point, defect, defection, deficiency, delinquent, demand, devilment, difficult, difficulty, dilemma, disadvantage, discomposure, disconcert, disconcertedness, disconcertion, disconcertment, disturbance, disturbed, dogging, downer, drag, drawback, embarrassment, enigma, enigmatic question, essence, evil, exasperation, facer, failing, failure, fault, faute, feeler, fix, flaw, floorer, focus of attention, focus of interest, foible, frailty, gist, great ado, harassment, harrying, head, headache, heading, hole, hounding, illustration, imbroglio, imperfection, inadequacy, inconvenience, incorrigible, infirmity, inquiry, interrogation, interrogative, interrogatory, intractable, issue, jam, jigsaw puzzle, kink, knot, knotty point, leader, leading question, little problem, living issue, main point, maladjusted, matter, matter in hand, meat, mess, mind-boggler, molestation, moot point, motif, motive, muddle, mystery, nonplus, nuisance, nut, nut to crack, obstreperous, peck of troubles, perplexed question, perplexity, persecution, perturbation, pest, pickle, plight, point, point at issue, point in question, poser, pother, predicament, pretty pickle, puzzle, puzzlement, puzzler, quandary, query, question, question at issue, question mark, quodlibet, refractory, riddle, rift, rubric, scrape, sea of troubles, shortcoming, sixty-four dollar question, snag, something missing, stew, sticker, stumper, subject, subject matter, subject of thought, substance, taint, text, theme, topic, tough proposition, trial, trial balloon, trouble, unassuredness, uncontrollable, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly, upset, vexation, vexatiousness, vexed question, vulnerable place, weak link, weak point, weakness, why, worriment, worry