cryptogram

[krip-tuh-gram]

noun

1. a message or writing in code or cipher; cryptograph.

2. an occult symbol or representation.

Other Word Forms

• cryptogrammic adjective
• cryptogrammatic adjective
• cryptogrammatical adjective
• cryptogrammatist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptogram¹

First recorded in 1875–80; crypto- + -gram ¹

Example Sentences

For the most part, however, she focused on taking cryptograms apart.

Read more on Literature

It appears to be a cryptogram, some wheat deposit intelligence that demanded secrecy.

Read more on Salon

If, for example, there’s a “Z” at the end of the trail and a “Y” with the butterfly, for every “Z” in the cryptogram text, you replace it with an “Y” to decipher the quotation.

Read more on New York Times

Henry’s letter, from Connecticut, was as stilted as a cryptogram from the western front.

Read more on Literature

The parchment contained a 17-line cryptogram which apparently revealed where his treasure was buried.

Read more on BBC