Meaning & Definition of word "Sphinx"
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Sphinx
/sfɪŋks/
noun:
- 1. A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, known in ancient Egyptian tradition and associated with riddles.
- Example: The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt.
- 2. A figure or person that is enigmatic or inscrutable, often used to describe someone who is hard to read or understand.
- Example: With her calm demeanor and mysterious smile, she had an air of a sphinx.
- 3. A character in Greek mythology, known for posing riddles to travelers and devouring those who could not solve them.
- Example: In Oedipus Rex, the sphinx asks the riddle of the traveler to test his wisdom.
Etymology
From Greek sphinx, related to the verb sphingein, meaning 'to squeeze' or 'to bind'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
Riddle of the Sphinx:
A challenging puzzle or problem that is difficult to solve.
Related Words
chimera:
A creature composed of parts from various animals, often representing a false hope.
griffin:
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
Slang Meanings of sphinx
Meaning: Something enigmatic or mysterious.
Example Sentence: Her smile was a sphinx, leaving everyone guessing her true feelings.
Meaning: An unsolvable problem or mystery.
Example Sentence: The company's financial records were a complete sphinx to the auditors.