n.
Pronunciation: ' sfi ŋ (k)s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sphinx · es or sphin · ges \ ' sfin- ˌ j ē z \
Etymology: Latin, from Greek Sphinx, Sphix
Date: 15th century
1 a 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 riddle b : 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
– sphinx · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective