cryptic

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɹɪptɪk/

Adjective

cryptic

1. Having hidden meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature.
3. Involving use of a code or cipher.
4. Of a crossword, or a clue in such a crossword, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5. (zoology) Well camouflage#Verb|camouflaged; having good camouflage#Noun|camouflage.

   Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.

6. (zoology) Serving as camouflage.

   cryptic colouring

7. (biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.

   cryptic species

8. (zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.

   Synonyms: cryptozoic

   • 1999, Rachel Wood, Reef Evolution, p. 95:

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

Translations

• German: kryptisch
• Portuguese: críptico
• Spanish: críptico

Translations

• French: mystérieux, énigmatique
• German: kryptisch
• Portuguese: críptico
• Spanish: críptico

Translations

• German: kryptisch
• Portuguese: críptico
• Spanish: críptico

Noun

cryptic (plural cryptics)

1. (informal) A cryptic crossword.
   • 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.

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