Definition

A puzzling question posed as a game or test of wit, typically requiring clever or lateral thinking to answer; also, anything that is mysterious or difficult to understand.

Example Usage

The Sphinx posed a famous riddle to travelers, and the stock market's behavior remains a riddle to many investors.

Origin

From Old English 'rǽdels', related to 'rǽdan' (to guess or advise); cognate with German 'Rätsel'.

Fun Fact

Riddles appear in some of humanity's oldest literature, including the epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible, suggesting they are universal human games.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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