adj.
Pronunciation: ' krip-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kryptikos, from kryptos
Date: circa 1638
1 : SECRET , OCCULT
2 a : having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : MYSTERIOUS < cryptic messages> b : marked by an often perplexing brevity < cryptic marginal notes>
3 : serving to conceal < cryptic coloration in animals> also : exhibiting cryptic coloration < cryptic animals>
4 : not recognized <a cryptic infection>
5 : employing cipher or code
synonyms see OBSCURE
– cryp · ti · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb