SYNONYMS | EXAMPLES | WORD ORIGIN
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 Related forms cryp·ti·cal·ly , adverb non·cryp·tic , adjective non·cryp·ti·cal , adjective non·cryp·ti·cal·ly , adverb Synonyms for cryptic 1 .
enigmatic , perplexing.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cryptically Contemporary Examples of cryptically 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.
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 of cryptically "Monsieur is too strong for me," replied Gaston, cryptically .
The closed makimono,” he cryptically retorted, “is the symbol of wisdom.
“I am not anxious to see Miss McLeod,” he answered, cryptically .
"They know," said Russ cryptically from his position in front of the vision plate.
"He certainly seems to be amused by you," she said cryptically .
British Dictionary definitions for cryptically 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
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Derived Forms cryptically , adverb Word Origin for cryptic C17: from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos concealed; see crypt
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for cryptically 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 .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
n. Hidden or concealed.
Tending to conceal or camouflage, as the coloring of an animal.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
