enigma
enigma
Definition
enig·ma (i nig′mə, e-)
noun
- a perplexing, usually ambiguous, statement; riddle
- a perplexing, baffling, or seemingly inexplicable matter, person, etc.
Etymology: L aenigma < Gr ainigma < ainissesthai, to speak in riddles < ainos, tale, story < ? IE base *ai-, oi-, meaningful speech > ? MIr ōeth, oath
enigma
Synonyms
enigma
n.
enigma
Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- body: Peter G. Grossenbacher ( 1994 ) Enigmas of the Body, Sense Modalities and Space Perception.
Converse of object
- solve: Is man, by searching alone, going to solve the great enigma?
- resolve: Much research is still to be done to resolve the enigma of learning styles.
- explain: So how to explain the enigma of French rugby?
- create: But ultimately, the phrase finds its own relation to the visual image, thereby creating an enigma and a new psychic experience.
- unravel: A strange anecdote in his life helps us to unravel this enigma.
Adjective modifier
- ethical: This issue of the New Humanist examines a range of ethical enigmas.
- great: Is man, by searching alone, going to solve the great enigma?
- other: This photo album gathers together some errors & problems & other enigmas that the CIP survey has revealed.
- scientific: Research The abnormal prion protein causing vCJD remains a scientific enigma.
- intriguing: A long forgotten incident of British maritime history appears to be at the heart of this intriguing enigma.
- ultimate: Death is the ultimate enigma, and we'll never know its secrets.
Modifies a noun
- machine: Enigma machines had 10 cables with which to link up pairs of letters.
- code: Why did the Germans think the enigma code could not be broken?
- sign: Enigma Signs will make every effort to rectify the situation where feasible.
- variation: Enigma Variations has enough roles for most of the principals, soloists and some of the corps to be given chances to shine.
Noun used with modifier
enigma Quotes
The wounded surgeon plies the steel That questions the distempered part; Beneath the bleeding hands we feel The sharp compassion of the healer's art Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.
I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery inside an enigma.But perhaps there is a key; that key is Russian national interest.
Browse dictionary entries near enigma
- Enid
- enharmonically
- enharmonic
- enhancing
- enhancer
- enhancement
- Enhanced Variable Rate Vocoder
- Enhanced TDMA
- Enhanced Switched Mobile Radio
- enhanced service
- enigmatic
- enigmatical
- enigmatically
- enisle
- enisled
- enisling
- Eniwetok
- enjambement
- enjambment
- enjoin
