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Definition of criosphinx

criosphinx

/ˈkraɪ.oʊˌsfɪŋks/
cri · o · sphinx
Plural:criosphinxes
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criosphinx Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A mythological creature in ancient Egyptian art and architecture, characterized by having the body of a lion and the head of a ram.

Example

"The grand avenue leading to the Temple of Karnak is famously lined with massive stone criosphinxes built to honor the god Amun."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for criosphinx

• Nearby Words

crinkle
crinkly
crinum
criosphinx
cripes
cripple
crippled

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'krios' meaning 'ram' combined with 'sphinx'. It describes a specific type of mythological figure prominent in ancient Egyptian architecture, particularly associated with the sun god Amun.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Criosphinx. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/criosphinx
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