— cryptically , adv.
/krip"tik/ , adj. Also, cryptical .
1. mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous: a cryptic message.
2. abrupt; terse; short: a cryptic note.
3. secret; occult: a cryptic writing.
4. involving or using cipher, code, etc.
5. Zool. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.
n.
6. a cryptogram, esp. one designed as a puzzle.
[ 1595-1605; crypticus kryptikós hidden. See CRYPT, -IC ]
Syn. 1. enigmatic, perplexing. See ambiguous .