ENIGMA

enigma. Enigma, n. a riddle, a dark or obscure question

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E‐nig″ma (ē̍‐nĭg″mȧ), n.; pl. enigmas (–mȧz). [[L. aenigma, Gr. αἴνιγμα, fr. αινἴσσεσθαι to speak darkly, fr. αἰ̑νοσ tale, fable.]] 1. 1. A dark, obscure, or inexplicable saying; a riddle; a statement, the hidden meaning of which is to be discovered or guessed.
A custom was among the ancients of proposing an enigma at festivals. Pope. 2. 2. An action, mode of action, or thing, which cannot be satisfactorily explained; a puzzle; as, his conduct is an enigma.