cryptic

views updated May 11 2018

cryp·tic / ˈkriptik/ • adj. 1. having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure. ∎  (of a crossword) having difficult clues that indicate the solutions indirectly.2. Zool. (of coloration or markings) serving to camouflage an animal.DERIVATIVES: cryp·ti·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

cryptic

views updated Jun 11 2018

cryptic hidden, secret. XVII. — late L. crypticus — Gr. kruptikós, f. kruptós; see prec. and -IC.
So crypto- used as comb. form of Gr. kruptós hidden, as in cryptography secret manner of writing. XVII. — modL. cryptographia. So cryptographer XVII.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

Cryptic

views updated May 08 2018

Cryptic A period of the Priscoan, dated from about 4550–4150 Ma ( Harland et al., 1989).

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

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