cryptogram

American  

[krip-tuh-gram] / ˈkrɪp təˌgræm /

noun

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

2. an occult symbol or representation.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of cryptogram

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

Example Sentences

For example, a cryptogram that looked like a random string of letters might turn out to have more “V”s in it than anything else.

From Literature

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

From 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.

From New York Times

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

From Literature

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

From BBC