enigma
UK: ɪˈnɪɡmə | US: ɪˈnɪɡmə
n. a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious or difficult to understand
n. a riddle or puzzle, especially one requiring clever thinking
The word "enigma" traces back to the Greek ainigma, derived from ainissesthai ("to speak in riddles"), itself from ainos ("tale, fable"). The prefix en- (meaning "in") combined with -igma (a suffix denoting action or result) originally described something "spoken obscurely." Latin adopted it as aenigma, and by the 16th century, English retained the spelling "enigma" to signify a perplexing mystery. The morpheme igma preserves the core idea of a riddle, while en- subtly implies concealment—reflecting the word’s enduring association with the unknown.
The sudden disappearance of the ancient civilization remains an enigma to historians.
Her cryptic smile was an enigma he couldn’t decipher.
The spy’s true identity was an enigma wrapped in layers of deception.
Quantum physics presents many enigmas that challenge conventional logic.
The artist’s abstract paintings were deliberate enigmas, open to interpretation.