- Cynocephalus 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
