| Title | cryptic |
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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary cryp·tic ETYMOLOGY Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kryptikos, from kryptos DATE circa 1638 1. secret , occult 2. a. having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious cryptic messages b. marked by an often perplexing brevity cryptic marginal notes 3. serving to conceal cryptic coloration in animals also : exhibiting cryptic coloration cryptic animals 4. not recognized a cryptic infection 5. employing cipher or code Synonyms: see obscure English Etymology cryptic 1630s, "hidden, occult, mystical," from L. crypticus, from Gk.kryptikos "fit for concealing," from kryptos "hidden" (see crypt). Meaning "mysterious, enigmatic" is recorded from 1920. Related: Cryptically (1670s). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 cryptic cryp·tic / 5kriptik / adjective with a meaning that is hidden or not easily understood 含义隐晦的；晦涩难懂的 SYN mysterious :
a cryptic message / remark / smile 令人困惑的信息/话语/微笑 a cryptic crossword clue 扑朔迷离的纵横字谜线索 • cryp·tic·al·ly / -kli / adv.: 'Yes and no,' she replied cryptically. "又是又不是。"她回答得很隐晦。 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: cryptic species cryp·tic \ˈkriptik, -tēk\ adjective also cryp·ti·cal \-tə̇kəl, -tēk-\ Etymology: Late Latin crypticus, from Greek kryptikos, from kryptos hidden + -ikos -ic, -ical — more at crypt 1. : hidden , secret , occult < a cryptic language > 2. : enigmatic , mysterious < cryptic prophecies > < a cryptic remark > 3. : of the nature of a crypt 4. : serving to conceal — used especially of the pattern or coloring of an animal 5. medicine : unrecognized 6. : brief , curt , abbreviated < a cryptic syllogism > 7. : employing cipher or code Synonyms: see obscure |
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