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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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx).

In Greek mythology, a winged monster having the head and bust of a woman and the body of a lioness; one whose motives, intentions, opinons, etc., are not easily guessed.

A fabulous monster which proposed riddles to travellers, and slew those who could not solve them.

n. [Latin, Greek] A fabulous monster usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman -it proposed riddles and put to death all who were unable to solve them:-a genus of lepidopterous insects including the hawk-moths.