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enigma

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
e·nig·ma  (-ngm)
n.
1. One that is puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable.
2. A perplexing speech or text; a riddle.
[Latin aenigma, from Greek ainigma, from ainissesthai, ainig-, to speak in riddles, from ainos, fable.]
enigma
Noun
something or someone that is mysterious or puzzling [Greek ainissesthai to speak in riddles]
enigmatic adj
enigmatically adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.enigmaenigma - something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained; "how it got out is a mystery"; "it remains one of nature's secrets"
closed book, mystery, secret
perplexity - trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
2.enigmaenigma - a difficult problem
brain-teaser, conundrum, riddle
problem - a question raised for consideration or solution; "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"
enigma
noun mystery, problem, puzzle, riddle, paradox, conundrum, teaser
Translations
Spanish enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə] n → enigma m
French enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə] n → énigme f
German enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə] n → Rätsel nt
Italian enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə] n → enigma m
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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
She moved to the door, and he followed at her elbow, casting about for a magic word that would make the enigma clear, that would compel the surrender of the gift.
Tales of Unrest by Conrad, Joseph View in context
Africa is, at length, about to surrender the secret of her vast solitudes; a modern OEdipus is to give us the key to that enigma which the learned men of sixty centuries have not been able to decipher.
Five Weeks in a Balloon by Verne, Jules View in context
I had perpetually to guard against the wonder of contemplation into which my initiated view betrayed me; to check the irrelevant gaze and discouraged sigh in which I constantly both attacked and renounced the enigma of what such a little gentleman could have done that deserved a penalty.
Turn Of The Screw by James, Henry View in context
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