enigmatist
|en-ig-ma-tist|
/ɪˈnɪɡmətɪst/
one who is puzzling or makes puzzles
Etymology
'enigmatist' is formed in English from 'enigma' + the agent suffix '-ist', where 'enigma' originates from Greek 'ainigma' meaning 'riddle'.
'ainigma' (Greek) became Latin 'aenigma', passed into Late Latin/Old French as 'enigma', then into Middle English as 'enigma'; English later produced the agent noun 'enigmatist' by adding '-ist' to 'enigma'.
Originally the root referred to a 'riddle' or 'spoken riddle'; over time it broadened to refer to something or someone 'puzzling' and then to a person associated with riddles or puzzling behavior ('enigmatist').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who composes, creates, or is skilled at devising enigmas, puzzles, or riddles.
The enigmatic crossword author was respected as an enigmatist by fellow puzzlers.
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Noun 2
a person who is mysterious, hard to understand, or puzzling in character or behavior.
She remained an enigmatist to her colleagues, revealing little about her private life.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 15:19