n. 1 (Sphinx) (in Greek mythology) the winged monster of Thebes, having a woman's head and a lion's body, whose riddle Oedipus guessed and who consequently killed herself. 2 Antiq. a any of several ancient Egyptian stone figures having a lion's body and a human or animal head. b (the Sphinx) the huge sphinx near the Pyramids at Giza. 3 an enigmatic or inscrutable person. 4 a a hawk moth. b a species of baboon, Papio sphinx.
[ L f. Gk Sphigx, app. f. sphiggo draw tight ]