2
a
: having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious
cryptic messages
cryptic prophecies
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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