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cryp·tic

(krĭptĭk) also cryp·ti·cal (-tĭ-kəl)

adj.

1. Having hidden meaning; mystifying. See Synonyms at mysterious.

2. Secret or occult.

3. Using code or cipher.

4. Biology Tending to conceal or camouflage: cryptic coloring.

[Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos, hidden, from kruptein, to hide.]

crypti·cal·ly adv.

cryptic·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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