sphinx

play

noun \ˈsfiŋ(k)s\

Definition of sphinx

plural

sphinxes

sphinges

play \ˈsfin-ˌjēz\

1a capitalized : a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddleb : an enigmatic or mysterious person she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination
2 : an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head

sphinxlike

play \ˈsfiŋ(k)s-ˌlīk\ adjective

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Examples of sphinx in a Sentence

a statue of the Sphinx

Recent Examples of sphinx from the Web

Heroes of Ruin takes place in the fantasy realm of Veil where Ataraxis, the sphinx ruler of hub world Nexus, is dying.

— WIRED, "Heroes of Ruin Is Flawed but Fantastic", 19 July 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sphinx'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sphinx

Latin, from Greek Sphinx, Sphix

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First Known Use: 15th century

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SPHINX Defined for English Language Learners

sphinx

play

noun

Definition of sphinx for English Language Learners

in ancient Greek and Egyptian stories : a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a person; also : something (such as a statue) in the shape of a sphinx