adjective
sibylline
Mysterious and difficult to interpret.
The visitor struggles to make sense of the cards’ sibylline message.
Etymology
Sibyls were associated with prophetic utterances. Their often obscure or enigmatic wording gave sibylline its sense of mysterious and difficult to interpret.
In context
Greek prophetic women become Roman state memory. Roman Sibylline authority later becomes part of Christian interpretation, medieval art, Renaissance fresco, and modern imagination.
More examples
- Her sibylline reply leaves us wondering whether she agrees.
- The poem ends with a sibylline warning that readers interpret differently.
- His sibylline comments raise more questions than they answer.
Forms
sibylline
sibyl noun — A woman believed to predict the future.