cryptic

[ krip-tik ]
/ ˈkrɪp tɪk /

adjective Also cryp·ti·cal.

mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous: a cryptic message.
abrupt; terse; short: a cryptic note.
secret; occult: a cryptic writing.
involving or using cipher, code, etc.
Zoology. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.

noun

a cryptogram, especially one designed as a puzzle.

Origin of cryptic

1595–1605; < Late Latin crypticus < Greek kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

SYNONYMS FOR cryptic

1 enigmatic, perplexing.

synonym study for cryptic

1. See ambiguous.

OTHER WORDS FROM cryptic

cryp·ti·cal·ly, adverb non·cryp·tic, adjective non·cryp·ti·cal, adjective non·cryp·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby cryptic

cryptanalysis, cryptanalytics, cryptanalyze, cryptectomy, cryptesthesia, cryptic, cryptitis, crypto, crypto-, crypto-jew, cryptoanalysis

Example sentences from the Web for cryptical

  • To most of us the Bible has long been a work of profound mystery, cryptical, undecipherable.

    Carmen Ariza |Charles Francis Stocking

  • The conductor opened the door and bawled a cryptical announcement.

    Carmen Ariza |Charles Francis Stocking

  • But else, and failing these cryptical or subterraneous currents of communication, for us the record is closed.

    Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 348 |Various

  • Matters were in this cryptical state when the door opened and Father came in.

    New Treasure Seekers |E. (Edith) Nesbit

British Dictionary definitions for cryptical

cryptic

cryptical

/ (ˈkrɪptɪk) /

adjective

hidden; secret; occult
(esp of comments, sayings, etc) obscure in meaning
(of the coloration of animals) tending to conceal by disguising or camouflaging the shape

Derived forms of cryptic

cryptically, adverb

Word Origin for cryptic

C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt

Medical definitions for cryptical

cryptic
[ krĭp′tĭk ]

n.

Hidden or concealed.
Tending to conceal or camouflage, as the coloring of an animal.