a. [ad. late L. ænigmatic-us, f. ænigmat- stem of ænigma (see ENIGMA). Cf. Fr. énigmatique.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, an enigma, containing or resembling an enigma; ambiguous, obscure, perplexing. Of persons: Mysterious; baffling conjecture as to character, sentiments, identity or history.
1628–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. xxvii. (1677), 47. These fruitless and ænigmatic questions, are bones the Devil hath cast among us.
1648. Jos. Beaumont, Psyche, IX. 53/141 (R.).
| An ænigmatick Foe, whose Ammunition | |
| Is nothing else but Want of all Provision. |
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. I. ii. 12. Plato’s usual way [was] … to wrap up those Jewish Traditions in Fables and enigmatick Parables.
1828. Carlyle, Misc., I. (1857), 137. Being excessively reserved withal, he becomes not a little enigmatic.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., IV. xxxiv. 297. He saw the figure of the enigmatic Jew.
