2006-10-30 04:57:03 · 20 answers · asked by Patrick Cree 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
e‧nig‧ma /əˈnɪgmə/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-nig-muh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -mas, -ma‧ta /-mətə/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[-muh-tuh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation. 1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.
2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.
3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
4. (initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.
2006-10-30 04:59:03 · answer #1 · answered by obsolete_allurement 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.
2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.
3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
4. (initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.
2006-10-30 12:59:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An enigma is a puzzle or mystery. The word comes from the Greek word, αἴνιγμα (ainigma).
2006-10-30 13:00:27 · answer #3 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
e‧nig‧ma /ÉËnɪgmÉ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-nig-muh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -mas, -ma‧ta /-mÉtÉ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[-muh-tuh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation. 1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.
2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.
3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
4. (initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.
2006-10-30 12:59:27 · answer #4 · answered by Funky Little Spacegirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word enigma is greek and it defines a situation where from the hidden meanings of the words or the phrases given somebody has to find out the correct answer.
2006-10-30 13:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by maria f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
e‧nig‧ma /ÉËnɪgmÉ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-nig-muh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -mas, -ma‧ta /-mÉtÉ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[-muh-tuh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation.
1.a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation.
2.a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.
3.a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.
4.(initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.
[Origin: 1530–40; < L aenigma < Gk aÃnigma, equiv. to ainik- (s. of ainÃssesthai to speak in riddles, deriv. of aînos fable) + -ma n. suffix of result]
2006-10-30 13:00:29 · answer #6 · answered by Damien's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How about looking in a dictionary?
1) A puzzling thing or person
2) Riddle or paradox
That's from my 'The Concise Oxford Dictionary' 1990 ('bout time I bought a new one ;) )
2006-10-30 12:58:15 · answer #7 · answered by Home_educator 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Oxford Popular English Dictionary says:
enigma n. a mysterious person or thing
2006-10-30 13:00:22 · answer #8 · answered by Vic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enigma: a mysterious or puzzling person or thing.
Its origins are from 16th century via Latin from Greek ainigma "riddle"
2006-10-30 13:20:14 · answer #9 · answered by Inky Pinky Ponky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enigma is a noun meaning. Puzzling person or thing; riddle.
2006-10-30 13:08:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋