aporia

Definition

An expression of deliberation with oneself regarding uncertainty or doubt as to how to proceed.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin aporia, from Ancient Greek ἀπορία (aporía), from ἄπορος (áporos, “impassable”), from ἀ- (a-, “a-”) + πόρος (póros, “passage”). By surface analysis, a- + pore + -ia.

Example Sentences

• "Aporia oft in doubt and fear will rest, And reason with itself what may be best."
• "Meanings are superposed in an aporia – not ‘either/or’, but ‘and/and’."
• "What they intend sickens and frightens them, and they can never speak of it directly. Instead, wrapped in whispers are ellipses, euphemisms, mumbled aporia followed by throat-clearing and a brisk change of subject."