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(), 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. 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. The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Botia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by dipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. "Subtle as sphinx." Shak. 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. 3. (Zol.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingid; -- called also hawk moth. The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, スポンサード リンク
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