Definition of Enigma

1. Noun. Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained. "It remains one of nature's secrets"

Exact synonyms: Closed Book, Mystery, Secret
Generic synonyms: Perplexity
Derivative terms: Enigmatic, Enigmatic, Enigmatical, Mysterious, Mysterious, Mystify, Mystify

2. Noun. A difficult problem.
Exact synonyms: Brain-teaser, Conundrum, Riddle
Generic synonyms: Problem
Derivative terms: Riddle, Riddle

Definition of Enigma

1. n. A dark, obscure, or inexplicable saying; a riddle; a statement, the hidden meaning of which is to be discovered or guessed.

Definition of Enigma

1. Proper noun. A German device used during World War II to encode strategic messages ¹

2. Noun. Something puzzling, mysterious or inexplicable ¹

3. Noun. A riddle, or a difficult problem ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Enigma

1. something that is hard to understand or explain [n -MAS or -MATA]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Enigma

enhorrored
enhort
enhorted
enhorting
enhorts
enhunger
enhungered
enhungering
enhungers
enhydros
enhydrous
enhypostasia
enhypostasis
eniac
eniacs
enigma
enigma canon
enigmas
enigmata
enigmatic
enigmatic canon
enigmatical
enigmatical canon
enigmatically
enigmatick
enigmatist
enigmatists
enigmatize
enigmatized
enigmatizes

Literary usage of Enigma

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Speeches, Correspondence and Political Papers of Carl Schurz by Carl Schurz (1913)
"Then you are an enigma in a certain sense. Explain yourself. You can write the most readable sketch of the sort to be found in our language. ..."

2. Italy and Her Invaders by Thomas Hodgkin (1899)
"The enigma which demanded solution from Sal- The riddle vian, as it must have done from all of his contem- "why if' poraries who looked forth with any ..."

3. Audubon, the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time by Francis Hobart Herrick (1917)
"... "enigma." Lieutenant Jean Audubon, as already recorded, died at Nantes in 1818, at a time when his son's financial troubles in America were culminating, ..."

4. A Glossary; Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, Thomas Wright (1867)
"It is still a common word in poetry. EGMA. A purposed corruption of enigma, which it immediately follows. A. Some enigma, some riddle ; come,—thy 1'envoy, ..."

5. A Whimsey Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1906)
"AN UNSOLVED Enigma I SIT stern as a rock when I'm raising the wind, But the storm once ... AN UNSOLVED Enigma I'M the stoutest of voices in Orchestra heard, ..."

6. Relics of Literature by Reuben Percy (1823)
"MISS SEWARD'S Enigma. A FEW years ago, the newspapers amused the public with ... The enigma stating that the solution would give the name of an ancient and ..."

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