Catch-22 also catch-22 (k?ch?tw?n-t?-to?o?, k?ch?-)n.1. A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently contradictory rules or conditions: “In the Catch-22 of a closed repertoire, only music that is already familiar is thought to deserve familiarity” (Joseph McLennan).2. A contradictory or self-defeating course of action: “The Catch-22 of his administration was that every grandiose improvement scheme began with community dismemberment” (Village Voice).3. A tricky or disadvantageous condition; a catch: “Of course, there is a Catch-22 with Form 4868?you are supposed to include a check if you owe any additional tax, otherwise you face some penalties” (New York).[After Catch-22, a novel by Joseph Heller.]Catch?-22? adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.catch-22 n 1. a situation in which a person is frustrated by a paradoxical rule or set of circumstances that preclude any attempt to escape from them 2. a situation in which any move that a person can make will lead to trouble [C20: from the title of a novel (1961) by the US writer J. Heller (1923?99)]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014Catch-22 (?kæt??tw?n ti?tu) n., pl. Catch-22’s, Catch-22s. 1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions. 2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma. 3. a condition, regulation, etc., preventing the resolution of a problem or situation; catch. [from a military regulation in a novel of the same name (1961) by U.S. novelist Joseph Heller] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
a fortiori
a for·ti·o·ri (ä fôr?t?-ôr??, ?)adv. For a still stronger reason; all the more.[Latin ? forti?r? : ?, from + forti?r?, ablative of fortior, stronger.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.a fortiori (e? ?f??t????ra?; -r?; ??) advfor similar but more convincing reasons: if Britain cannot afford a space programme, then, a fortiori, neither can India. [Latin]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014a for?ti?o?ri (? ?fo?r t??o? ri; Eng. e? ?f?r ?i??r a?, e? ?fo?r ?i?o?r a?) adv. Latin. for a still stronger reason; even more certain; all the more. Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.a fortioriA Latin phrase meaning for a stronger reason.Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited