Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-NIG'MA, n. [L. ænigma; Gr. αινιγμα, from αινισσομαι, to hint.]

A dark saying, in which some known thing is concealed under obscure language; an obscure question; a riddle. A question, saying or painting, containing a hidden meaning, which is proposed to be guessed. Johnson. Encyc.