2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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.
SPHRAGIDE
Sphrag"ide, n.Etym: [L. sphragis, -idis, Lemnian earth, fr. Gr.
(Min.)
Defn: Lemnian earth.
SPHRAGISTICS
Sphra*gis"tics, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The science of seals, their history, age, distinctions, etc., esp. as verifying the age and genuiness of documents.