Sphinx

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sphinx \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.


            [1913 Webster]
  
                  The awful ruins of the days of old . . .
                  Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. --Shelley.
            [1913 Webster]
        (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.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes,
        especially in politics and diplomacy.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the
        family {Sphingidae}; -- called also {hawk moth}. See also
        {tomato worm}.
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     Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at
           rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian
           sphinx, whence the name.
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     4. (Zool.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon ({Cynocephalus
        sphinx}).
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     {Sphinx baboon} (Zool.), a large West African baboon
        ({Cynocephalus sphinx}), often kept in menageries.
  
     {Sphinx moth}. (Zool.) Same as {Sphinx}, 3.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sphinx
       n 1: an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions
            secret
       2: (Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman's
          head and breast on a lion's body; daughter of Typhon
       3: 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
       [also: {sphinges} (pl)]