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cryptic

 - 4 dictionary results

cryp⋅tic

  [krip-tik]
Use cryptic in a Sentence
–adjective Also, cryp⋅ti⋅cal.
1. mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous: a cryptic message.
2. abrupt; terse; short: a cryptic note.
3. secret; occult: a cryptic writing.
4. involving or using cipher, code, etc.
5. Zoology. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage.
–noun
6. a cryptogram, esp. one designed as a puzzle.
Origin:
1595–1605; < LL crypticus < Gk kryptikós hidden. See crypt, -ic

Related forms:
cryp⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. enigmatic, perplexing. See ambiguous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cryptic
cryp·tic   (krĭp'tĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Having hidden meaning; mystifying. See Synonyms at ambiguous.

  2. Secret or occult.

  3. Using code or cipher.

  4. Biology Tending to conceal or camouflage: cryptic coloring.


[Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos, hidden, from kruptein, to hide.]
cryp'ti·cal·ly adv., cryp'tic·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cryp·tic
Pronunciation: 'krip-tik
Function: adjective
1 : serving to conceal <cryptic coloration in animals>
2 : not recognized cryptic infection> <cryptic cases of lead poisoning> —cryp·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

cryptic cryp·tic (krĭp'tĭk)
n.

  1. Hidden or concealed.

  2. Tending to conceal or camouflage, as the coloring of an animal.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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