E-nĭg'mā, n.
n.; pl. E-NĬG'MĂŞ. [Lat. ænigma, Gr. αἴνιγμα, from αἰνίσσεσθαι, to speak darkly, from αἶνος, tale, fable; Pr., Sp., & Pg. enigma, It. enigma, enímma, Fr. énigme.]
Sense 1. An obscure question or saying; a puzzle; a riddle.
A custom among the ancients of proposing an enigma at festivals. Pope.
Sense 2. A statement, the hidden meaning of which is to be discovered or guessed; an action, or mode of action, which can not be satisfactorily explained; as, to deal in enigmas; his conduct is an enigma.