cryptic

Word family

cryp·tic /ˈkrɪptɪk/ adjectiveadj

MYSTERIOUShaving a meaning that is mysterious or not easily understood 含意隐晦的；有隐义的

cryptic remark/comment/statement etc

a cryptic note at the end of the letter

信尾含意隐晦的一句话

—cryptically /-kli/ adverbadv

Examples from the Corpus

cryptic• Write down any error messages you see, no matter how cryptic.• But there is one story which, in a cryptic and covert way, does.• Indovina's lyrics are mostly cryptic and obscure.• Darby was a cheerfully relaxed young man who compiled cryptic crosswords for a monthly magazine in his spare time.• My journal is confused, almost cryptic on these matters.• He did not find the question cryptic or bizarre.• Rather, what she was saying with her cryptic scriptural reference was that I might not be asking the right question.• These variations appear cryptic to most westerners, and require some explanation.

cryptic remark/comment/statement etc• They were doubled over, poking at each other, making cryptic comments and bursting again into laughter.

Origin cryptic

(1600-1700) Late Latin crypticus, from Greek, from kryptos; → CRYPTO-

cryp·tic adjectiveadj

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus