crypto

¹ American  

[krip-toh] / ˈkrɪp toʊ /

noun

plural

cryptos

1. a person who secretly supports or adheres to a group, party, or belief.

2. cryptocurrency.

3. cryptography.

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adjective

1. secret or hidden; not publicly admitted.

   a crypto Nazi.

crypto- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “hidden,” “secret,” used in the formation of compound words.

   cryptograph.

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crypto- British  

combining form

1. secret, hidden, or concealed

   cryptography

   crypto-fascist

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Usage

What does crypto- mean? Crypto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “hidden, secret.” It is used in many scientific, medical, and other technical terms.Crypto- comes from the Greek kryptós, meaning “hidden.” The word crypt also derives from this root. Dig up the connection at our entry for the word.In anatomy, crypto- specifically refers to a crypt in its specialized sense of a “slender pit or recess” or a “small glandular cavity.”What are variants of crypto-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, crypto- becomes crypt-, as in cryptitis.

Etymology

Origin of crypto¹

First recorded in 1945–50; probably independent use of crypto-; -o

Origin of crypto-²

Combining form representing Greek kryptós hidden. See crypt

Example Sentences

Robinhood fell 42% amid crypto volatility.

From Barron's

Crypto trading data were more encouraging.

From Barron's

At its core, the report found that breaking into a crypto wallet through quantum computing may take fewer resources than previously expected.

From MarketWatch

It urged the crypto industry to adopt new protective measures before quantum computers become powerful enough to exploit those vulnerabilities.

From MarketWatch

Last week Google set 2029 as a potential milestone for a future quantum computer that can break current encryption for crypto.

From MarketWatch