Advertisement

cryptic (adj.)

1630s, "hidden, occult, mystical," from Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kryptikos "fit for concealing," from kryptos "hidden" (see crypt). Meaning "mysterious, enigmatic" is attested by 1920. Related: Cryptically.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of cryptic from WordNet

cryptic (adj.)
of an obscure nature; "in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life"- Rachel Carson;
the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms
Synonyms: cryptical / deep / inscrutable / mysterious / mystifying
cryptic (adj.)
having a secret or hidden meaning; "thoroughly sibylline in most of his pronouncements"- John Gunther;
cryptic writings
Synonyms: cabalistic / kabbalistic / qabalistic / cryptical / sibylline
cryptic (adj.)
having a puzzling terseness;
a cryptic note
From wordnet.princeton.edu