sphinx

esfinge.

(Del lat. sphinx, -ingis, y este del gr. σφίγξ).

1. f. Monstruo fabuloso, generalmente con cabeza, cuello y pecho humanos y cuerpo y pies de león. Era u. t. c. m.

2. f. Mariposa de la familia de los Esfíngidos, de gran tamaño, cuerpo grueso y alas largas con dibujos de color oscuro. Era u. t. c. m.

parecer, o ser, una ~.

1. frs. Adoptar una actitud reservada o enigmática.
Fuente: Diccionario de la Real Academia Española

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.

Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in B[oe]otia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the
Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it.
The enigma was solved by [OE]dipus, 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. (Zo"ol.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family {Sphingid[ae]}; -- called also {hawk moth}. See
also {tomato worm}.
[1913 Webster]

Note: 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. (Zo"ol.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon ({Cynocephalus sphinx}).
[1913 Webster]

Sphinx baboon (Zo"ol.), a large West African baboon ({Cynocephalus sphinx}), often kept in menageries.

Sphinx moth. (Zo"ol.) Same as Sphinx, 3. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English