cryptic

comparative more cryptic · superlative most cryptic · alternative obsolete cryptick

1. Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature; not easy to perceive.

   Even the putatively innocuous whimsical shapes and designs of cakes and pastry, notably in Central Europe, retain to this day the phallic concept, the cryptic induration of the aphrodisiac function.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page iii

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   I think the Original of this conceit might be, That the Students of Nature, conſcious to her more cryptick wayes of working, reſolve many ſtrange effects into the nearer efficiency of ſecond cauſes[…]

   1665, Joseph Glanvill, “An Apology for Philosophy”, in Scepsis Scientifica: Or, Confest Ignorance, the way to Science, London: E. Cotes, page 182

3. Involving use of a code or cipher.
4. crosswordingOf a crossword puzzle, or a clue in such a puzzle, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5. biologyWell camouflaged; having good camouflage.

   Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic.

6. biologyServing as camouflage.

   cryptic colouring

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   Episematic characters are far less common than aposematic, and these than cryptic; although, as regards the latter comparison, the opposite impression is generally produced from the fact that concealment is so successfully attained.

   1911, “Colours of Animals”, in The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, volume V, page 732

7. not comparablebiologyApparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.

   cryptic species

8. biologyLiving in a cavity or small cave.

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

   1999, Rachel Wood, Reef Evolution, page 95

   Synonyms: cryptozoic

plural cryptics · alternative obsolete cryptick

1. informalA cryptic crossword puzzle.

   This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.

   2009 February 1, Bill Taylor, “Building a crossword”, in Toronto Star

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   He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.

   1996, Mary McCarthy, Remember Me, page 85

1. geographyAn epoch from 4567 to 4150 million years ago, a subdivision of the Prenectarian.