sphynx
noun
ˈsfiŋ(k)s 
plural sphynx or sphynxes
: any of a breed of large-eared virtually hairless cats that originated as a spontaneous mutation
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Still, the ship’s real VIP is Bug Naked, Captain Kate’s elusive elf sphynx. 
Katie Jackson, USA TODAY, 30 June 2022 Omicron, meanwhile, is a sphynx: decidedly still a cat, but wrinkly, whiskerless, and bald as a baby’s bottom. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2022 In his mind, the next major variant will probably reap its biggest advantages from snubbing a resemblance to Omicron; that would position it to escape whatever sphynx-ish immunity the variant’s currently coaxing out. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2022 For Margaret Cho, her Chihuahua dog Lucia and two sphynx cats, Sacre Coeur and Sarang, give her unconditional familial love. Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, 3 June 2021 Some people seek out cat breeds with reputations for being hypoallergenic, such as Siberians, Cornish rexes and sphynx. Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 27 June 2018 In person, Bettany is thoughtful and forthright, alternating between statue-still, sphynx-like observations from behind tinted glasses and leaning-forward non-negotiable philosophies. Tom Philip, GQ, 29 May 2018 The dogs are starving out the cats, and a couple of sphynx supremacists are pushing for total war. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2018 See More
Katie Jackson, USA TODAY, 30 June 2022 Omicron, meanwhile, is a sphynx: decidedly still a cat, but wrinkly, whiskerless, and bald as a baby’s bottom. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2022 In his mind, the next major variant will probably reap its biggest advantages from snubbing a resemblance to Omicron; that would position it to escape whatever sphynx-ish immunity the variant’s currently coaxing out. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2022 For Margaret Cho, her Chihuahua dog Lucia and two sphynx cats, Sacre Coeur and Sarang, give her unconditional familial love. Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, 3 June 2021 Some people seek out cat breeds with reputations for being hypoallergenic, such as Siberians, Cornish rexes and sphynx. Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 27 June 2018 In person, Bettany is thoughtful and forthright, alternating between statue-still, sphynx-like observations from behind tinted glasses and leaning-forward non-negotiable philosophies. Tom Philip, GQ, 29 May 2018 The dogs are starving out the cats, and a couple of sphynx supremacists are pushing for total war. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
probably alteration of sphinx; from the cat's appearance
First Known Use
1970, in the meaning defined above
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