cynocephalus sphinx

2 definitions found

cynocephalus sphinx - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Papion \Pa"pi*on\, n. [Prob. from native name: cf. Sp. papion.]
     (Zool.)
     A West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), allied to the
     chacma. Its color is generally chestnut, varying in tint.
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  Sphinx \Sphinx\, n. [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from
     sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.]
     1.
        (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry,
            having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a
            hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion.
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                  The awful ruins of the days of old . . .
                  Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. --Shelley.
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        (b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually
            represented as having the winged body of a lion, and
            the face and breast of a young woman.
  
     Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in
           B[oe]otia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the
           Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it.
           The enigma was solved by [OE]dipus, whereupon the
           sphinx slew herself. "Subtle as sphinx." --Shak.
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     2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes,
        especially in politics and diplomacy.
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     3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the
        family Sphingidae; -- called also hawk moth. See also
        tomato worm.
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     Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at
           rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian
           sphinx, whence the name.
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     4. (Zool.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus  sphinx
        ).
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     Sphinx baboon (Zool.), a large West African baboon
        (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries.
  
     Sphinx moth. (Zool.) Same as Sphinx, 3.
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