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. 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.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidae; -- called also hawk moth. See also tomato worm. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. (Zool.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). [ 1913 Webster ]
Sphinx baboon (Zool.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. --
Sphinx moth. (Zool.) Same as Sphinx, 3. [ 1913 Webster ]
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