DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Sphinx n.
 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.
 The awful ruins of the days of old . . .
 Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx.   --Shelley.
 (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 Bœotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by Œdipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. “Subtle as sphinx.”
 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.
 3. 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.
 4. 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.
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