Found 2 items, similar to sphinx.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: sphinx 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)]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Sphinx 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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingid[ae]; -- called also hawk moth. See also tomato worm. [1913 Webster] Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name. [1913 Webster] 4. (Zo["o]l.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx ). [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]