'Cryptic' definitions:

Definition of 'cryptic'

From: WordNet
adjective
Of an obscure nature; "the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms"; "a deep dark secret"; "the inscrutable workings of Providence"; "in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life"- Rachel Carson; "rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands" [syn: cryptic, cryptical, deep, inscrutable, mysterious, mystifying]
adjective
Having a secret or hidden meaning; "cabalistic symbols engraved in stone"; "cryptic writings"; "thoroughly sibylline in most of his pronouncements"- John Gunther [syn: cabalistic, kabbalistic, qabalistic, cryptic, cryptical, sibylline]
adjective
Having a puzzling terseness; "a cryptic note"

Definition of 'Cryptic'

From: GCIDE
  • Cryptic \Cryp"tic\ (kr[i^]p"t[i^]k), Cryptical \Cryp"tic*al\ (-t?-kal), a. [L. crypticus, Gr. kryptiko`s, fr. kry`ptein to hide.] Hidden; secret; occult. "Her [nature's] more cryptic ways of working." --Glanvill. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. incomprehensible to those not familiar with the culture or jargon; as, the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms.
  • Syn: inscrutable, mysterious, mystifying. [WordNet 1.5]
  • 3. having a secret or hidden meaning; as, cryptic symbols engraved in stone; cryptic writings.
  • Syn: cabalistic, occult, secret, sibylline. [WordNet 1.5]
  • 3. having a puzzling terseness; as, a cryptic note. [WordNet 1.5]
  • 4. not evident; unrecognized; as, a cryptic infection. [PJC]
  • 5. written in a code or cipher; as, a cryptic message.
  • Syn: encoded, enciphered, encrypted. [PJC]

Words containing 'Cryptic'