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noun

Sphinx n.

(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."

(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 OEdipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. "Subtle as sphinx."

Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidae; called also hawk moth. See also tomato worm. Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.

(Zool.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx).

Sphinx baboon (Zool.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries.

Sphinx moth. (Zool.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

See images of 'Sphinx'

Etymology of 'Sphinx'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Sphinx" Quotes from Famous Books

... him munching a sandwich and keeping his own eyes rather away from than on her own, she asked herself whether she had undertaken too much, and whether this sphinx-like face might hide danger for her. She at least knew it was far from being possible to tell by looking at the outside of a man's head what might be going on inside. Only the plight of her father's affairs had seemed to justify her; even this did not seem to now, but it was too late ...

— Laramie Holds the Range • Frank H. Spearman

... the equation of womanhood? Colonel Joseph is effusive in his cheery greeting. "My dear madame, I am glad to be in Paris once more." He would charm this sphinx into life and warmth. ...

— The Little Lady of Lagunitas • Richard Henry Savage

... H. H.; "am I not here? Then there is Archbold—he is always Johnny on the spot." Rockefeller smiled a sphinx-like smile, as near as he ever came to indulging in a laugh, and mosied out of the room. That night he went up to the Catskills. The next day a telegram came from Rockefeller addressed to "Johnny-on-the-Spot, ...

— Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 11 (of 14) - Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Businessmen • Elbert Hubbard

... all kinds of disguises. Now he is the most beautiful and noble of the Greek gods, Apollo; now he is Odin, with a single eye; now he is Hercules, the hero, with his twelve great labours for the good of men; now he is Oedipus, who met the Sphinx and solved her riddle. In the early times men saw how everything in the world about them drew its strength and beauty from the sun; how the sun warmed the earth and made the crops grow; how it brought gladness and hope and inspiration to men; and they made it the centre of the great world ...

— Myths That Every Child Should Know - A Selection Of The Classic Myths Of All Times For Young People • Various

... hole at one end being answered by the gods through the priest or priestess hidden from view at the other. The different recesses, our guide informed us, were used as lovers' seats and wishing stones. The "Frog and the Porpoise," the "Oyster Rock," the "Porpoise's Head," the "Sphinx," the "Elephant and Yoke of Oxen," and the "Hippopotamus's Head" were all clearly defined. The "Dancing Bear" was a splendidly shaped specimen, and then there was a "Boat Rock," with bow and stern complete. But on the "Mount Delectable," ...

— From John O'Groats to Land's End • Robert Naylor and John Naylor

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