An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

A puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation. See also: → problem, → puzzle.

From L. aenigma "riddle," from Gk. ainigma "a dark saying, riddle," from ainissesthai "speak obscurely, speak in riddles," from ainos "tale, story; saying, proverb;" of unknown origin.

Câceh, from Baluci (Zâhedân) câcâk "riddle, puzzle;" cf. (Kermânšâhi) câvca "riddle, puzzle" (Fin-e Bandar-Abbâs) cencen "riddle;" maybe related to Choresmian c'tyk "riddle," from Proto-Ir. *caš- "to teach, to show;" Av. *caš- "to teach, to show" (Cheung 2007).

Resembling an enigma, or a puzzling occurrence, situation, statement, person, etc.; perplexing; mysterious (Dictionary.com).

→ enigma; → -ic.

Cušenâk, from cušé, → enigma, + -nâk adj. suffix.