cryptic
[krip-tik]
- 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.
- a cryptogram, especially one designed as a puzzle.
Origin of cryptic
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. enigmatic, perplexing.
Synonym study
1. See ambiguous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cryptically
Contemporary Examples
Cryptically, he added that he would like women to have more leadership roles in administrative and pastoral activities.
The areas where they overlap are cryptically blurred, impossible to anticipate what monstrosities might come from them.
Great Weekend Reads: December 30, 2011Jacob Silverman, Michael Thomsen, Lauren Elkin
December 30, 2011
The announcement says cryptically that there will be a “daily limit” on such access for “some search engines.”
When Tiger finally did issue a statement, it said cryptically: “this will never happen again.”
But earlier this month McCain cryptically Twittered that the proposal "appears to be a cap & tax bill that I won't support."
Historical Examples
"Monsieur is too strong for me," replied Gaston, cryptically.
The closed makimono,” he cryptically retorted, “is the symbol of wisdom.
The Prairie MotherArthur Stringer
“I am not anxious to see Miss McLeod,” he answered, cryptically.
The Mystery of the Green RayWilliam Le Queux
"They know," said Russ cryptically from his position in front of the vision plate.
EmpireClifford Donald Simak
"He certainly seems to be amused by you," she said cryptically.
Too Old for DollsAnthony Mario Ludovici
cryptic
cryptical
- 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
Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cryptically
cryptic
adj.
1630s, "hidden, occult, mystical," from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kryptikos "fit for concealing," from kryptos "hidden" (see crypt). Meaning "mysterious, enigmatic" is recorded from 1920. Related: Cryptically.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
cryptic
(krĭp′tĭk)
- Hidden or concealed.
- Tending to conceal or camouflage, as the coloring of an animal.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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