Sphinx
proper nounnounattested in dialogue
- //ˈsfɪŋks//
An ancient, large statue in Egypt, with the face of a man and the body of a lion, lying near the Great Pyramids.
proper noun
- 1
An ancient, large statue in Egypt, with the face of a man and the body of a lion, lying near the Great Pyramids.
- 2
One of the many offspring of Typhon and Echidna, a winged lion-like creature with a woman's face, who dwelt near the city of Thebes in Boeotia and terrorized travelers by posing riddles, killing those who failed to answer correctly; after Oedipus solved her riddle, she committed suicide out of frustration.
Etymology
From Middle English Spynx, from Ancient Greek Σφίγξ (Sphínx), perhaps from σφίγγω (sphíngō, “bind tightly, to strangle”). The appurtenance of Egyptian Szp:p-A53 (šzp, “image, statue, sphinx”) or Szp:p-A53-anx-n:x (šzp-ꜥnḫ, “living image”) remains unclear.
noun
- 1
Variant of sphinxAlternative letter-case form of sphinx (“a sculpture representing the Theban Sphinx”)
In the third, which leadeth to the fonts and walkes, are two Sphinges very curiouſly carued in braſſe […]
Forms
- plural
- Sphinxes, Sphinges
Sphinx · An ancient, large statue in Egypt, with the face of a man and the body of a lion, lying near the Great Pyramids.
spice · Aromatic or pungent plant matter (usually dried) used to…Spice · A surname.spicy · Of, pertaining to, or containing spice.