Final answer:
A sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human in Egyptian mythology, while in Greek mythology it has the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the head of a woman. The word 'sphinx' is not related to the verb 'sphining' or the term 'sphincter'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'sphinx' refers to two different things. In ancient Egyptian mythology, a sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. In Greek mythology, a sphinx is a creature with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the head of a woman. The word 'sphinx' is not directly related to the verb 'sphining' or the term 'sphincter', which is a ring of muscles that can contract to close off an opening between structures in the body.