enigmatically

English

Alternative forms

• ænigmatically (archaic)

Etymology

enigmatic +‎ -ally

Adverb

enigmatically (comparative more enigmatically, superlative most enigmatically)

1. Acting in a manner that suggests an enigma.
   • 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 234:

     He hurried out, glad to escape, leaving Cora frowning enigmatically under her hair.

2. Behaving mysteriously or strangely.
   • 1919 October, John Galsworthy, chapter I, in Saint’s Progress, London: William Heinemann, published December 1919, →OCLC, part III, 1 §, page 220:

     "Leila!" she said enigmatically. "Have you seen her?" / "I went to her flat last week with Dad—he likes her." / "Delilah is her real name, you know. All men like her. And Captain Fort is her lover."

3. Functioning in a way that is unexplainable.