E‐nig″ma (ē̍‐nĭg″mȧ), n.; pl.enigmas (–mȧz). [L. aenigma, Gr. αἴνιγμα, fr. αινἴσσεσθαι to speak darkly, fr. αἰ̑νοσ tale, fable.] 1. A dark, obscure, or inexplicable saying; a riddle; a statement, the hidden meaning of which is to be discovered or guessed.
A custom was among the ancients of proposing an enigma at festivals. Pope.
2. An action, mode of action, or thing, which cannot be satisfactorily explained; a puzzle; as, his conduct is an enigma.