Sphinx word meaning and definition

[noun] one of a number of large stone statues with the body of a lion and the head of a man that were built by the ancient Egyptians
[noun] (Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman's head and breast on a lion's body; daughter of Typhon
[noun] an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret

\Sphinx\, n. [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.] 1.
(a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion. The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. --Shelley.
(b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman. Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in B[oe]otia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by [OE]dipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. ``Subtle as sphinx.'' --Shak. 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. 3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family {Sphingid[ae]}; -- called also {hawk moth}. Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name. 4. (Zo["o]l.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon ({Cynocephalus sphinx}). {Sphinx baboon} (Zo["o]l.), a large West African baboon ({Cynocephalus sphinx}), often kept in menageries. {Sphinx moth}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Sphinx}, 3.

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