Σφίγξ

Σφίγξ, ἡ, gen. Σφιγγός, Boeot. Φίξ, Φῑκός:—

• Sphinx, Φῖκʼ ὀλοήν Hes. Th. 326 (where the Boeot. form Φίξ is given by Sch., cf. Pl. Cra. 414d), cf. Apollod. 3.5.8; on the riddle of the S. guessed by Oedipus, Ath. 10.456b, Arg. S. OT, A. Frr. 235-7, E. Ph. 1507 (anap.), cf. Sch. E. Ph. 45, Str. 17.1.28, 32; cf. ἀνδρόσφιγξ; σφίγγες καὶ γρῦπες as ornaments of a precinct of Dionysus, Hdt. 4.79; Sphinxes on a shield, E. El. 471 (lyr.).
• • • 2 metaph. of rapacious persons, Anaxil. 22, Carm.Pop. 46.24,33; Μεγαρικαὶ σ., = πόρναι, Call.Com. 23: also of those who speak riddles, Σφίγγʼ ἄρρενʼ, οὐ μάγειρον Strato Com. 1.1; ἡ ἀφροσύνη . . σ. ἐστιν Cebes 3.
  • II a kind of ape, found in Ethiopia, Agatharch. 73, Artem. ap. Str. 16.4.16, Plin. HN 8.72, Ael. NA 16.15, and v. σφιγγίον II. (The form Φίξ connects the name with Mount Φίκιον in Boeotia, cf. Sch. Hes. l.c., and is found in Plaut. Aul. 701, Picis divitiis qui aureos montis colunt ego solus supero; cf. Non.p.222 L.; Βῖκας = Σφίγγας, Hsch. (Σφίγξ may be a later form); Σφίξ, gen. Σφικός, Choerob. (Sophronius) in Theod. p.400 H.)