Thesaurus: sphinx

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Definitions

1. n. 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.
2. n. 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.
3. n. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.
4. n. Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidae; -- called also hawk moth.
5. n. The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx).
6. n. (Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman's head and breast on a lion's body; daughter of Typhon
7. n. an inscrutable person who keeps their thoughts and intentions secret
8. n. 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
9. 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 Boeotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by "Subtle as sphinx." Shak. 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. 3. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidæ; -- 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. (Zoöl.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. -- Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.
10. Any one of numerous species of large moths of the familySphingidæ; -- called also hawk moth.
11. n:100 n. an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret n. (Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman's head and breast on a lion's body; daughter of Typhon n. 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