RIDDLE Copy link • RIDDLE 1. s. A puzzling question, enigma, aenigma, -atis (Cic.): griphus (an artificial and puzzling combination of words, used by the Greeks at their entertainments; the word is employed with reference to Greeks, Gell., 1, 2, 4; Apul., Flor.): ambages (a dark and obscure expression; e.g., Liv., 1, 24). To propose a riddle, *aliquem aenigma solvere jubere; *aenigma alicui interpretandum, explicandum, proponere. To solve a riddle, aenigma solvere (Ruhnken), interpretari, explicare: griphum dissolvere: not to understand a riddle, aenigma non intelligere. Figuratively, Riddles, verba caecis latebris obscura (Ov., Met., 1, 388); sermones perplexi (Liv., 40, 5). It is all a riddle to me, hoc vero obscurum mihi est; hoc mihi non liquet; hoc non intelligo: it is a complete riddle, hoc nemo conjectura assequi potest; hoc nemini liquet. To speak in riddles, aenigmata loqui (Plin., Ep., 7, 12). A coarse sieve, cribrum (carbonarium). 2. v. To sift, cribrare: cribro subcernere.