Cryptic

/ˈkɹɪptɪk/ · adjective

Meaning

Having hidden (unapparent) meaning..

Definitions by Sense

1. Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature; not easy to perceive.
3. Involving use of a code or cipher.
4. (crosswording) Of a crossword puzzle, or a clue in such a puzzle, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5. (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
6. (zoology) Serving as camouflage.
7. (biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.
8. (zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.

Example Sentences

I think the Original of this conceit might be, That the Students of Nature, conſcious to her more cryptick wayes of working, reſolve many ſtrange effects into the nearer efficiency of ſecond cauſes[…]

Even the putatively innocuous whimsical shapes and designs of cakes and pastry, notably in Central Europe, retain to this day the phallic concept, the cryptic induration of the aphrodisiac function.

Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.

cryptic colouring

Episematic characters are far less common than aposematic, and these than cryptic; although, as regards the latter comparison, the opposite impression is generally produced from the fact that concealment is so successfully attained.

cryptic species

Much of the Permian Capitan reef was strongly differentiated into open surface and cryptic communities.

He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.

Synonyms for cryptic

Antonyms for cryptic

Related Words

Word Forms

• more cryptic
• most cryptic
• cryptick
• cryptics

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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