Cryptic

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɹɪptɪk/

Alternative forms

• cryptick obsolete

Origin

From Late Latin crypticus, from Ancient Greek κρυπτικός (kruptikos), from κρυπτός (kruptos, "hidden"), from κρύπτω (kruptō, "to hide"). Also see: cryptology.

Full definition of cryptic

Adjective

1. Having hidden meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature.
• GlanvillHer nature's more cryptic ways of working.
3. Involving use of code or cipher/cypher.
4. (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.

Noun

1. (informal) A cryptic crossword.
• 1996, Mary McCarthy, Remember Me (page 85)He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.
• 2009, Bill Taylor, Building a crossword (in Toronto Star, 1 February 2009)This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.

Derived terms

• cryptically
• cryptogram