enigma
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained“how it got out is a mystery”“it remains one of nature's secrets”Synonyms: mysterysecretclosed book
- a difficult problemSynonyms: riddleconundrumbrain-teaser
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
enigma \e*nig"ma\ ([-e]*n[i^]g"m[.a]), n.; pl. enigmas ([-e]*n[i^]g"m[.a]z). [L. aenigma, Gr. a'i`nigma, fr. a'ini`ssesqai to speak darkly, fr. a'i^nos tale, fable.]
1.A dark, obscure, or inexplicable saying; a riddle; a statement, the hidden meaning of which is to be discovered or guessed. [1913 Webster]
A custom was among the ancients of proposing an enigma at festivals.— Pope.[1913 Webster]
2.An action, mode of action, or thing, which cannot be satisfactorily explained; a puzzle; as, his conduct is an enigma. Enigmatic
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing
Enigma
<hardware, cryptography> The electro-mechanical cipher engine used by the Germans in World War II to encrypt and decrypt field orders. Many of their messages were deciphered at Bletchley Park, by Alan Turing and others.
See also: Tunny Emulator.
(2012-03-25)