SPHINGES

SPHINX

sphinx

(noun) one of a number of large stone statues with the body of a lion and the head of a man that were built by the ancient Egyptians

Sphinx

(noun) (Greek mythology) a riddling winged monster with a woman’s head and breast on a lion’s body; daughter of Typhon

sphinx

(noun) an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Proper noun

Sphinges

plural of Sphinx

Noun

sphinges

plural of sphinx

Source: Wiktionary

SPHINX

Sphinx, n. Etym: [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. The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. Shelley.

(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.

Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Boeotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by "Subtle as sphinx." Shak.

2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidæ; -- called also hawk moth.

Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.

4. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries.

– Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition