Definition of "cryptic"

cryptic

/ˈkɹɪptɪk/

adjective
comparative more cryptic, superlative most cryptic
1. Having hidden (unapparent) meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature.
  Quotations
  I think the Original of this conceit might be, That the Students of Nature, conſcious to her more cryptick wayes of working, reſolve many ſtrange effects into the nearer efficiency of ſecond cauſes […]
  1665, Joseph Glanvill, “An Apology for Philosophy”, in Scepsis Scientifica: Or, Confest Ignorance, the way to Science, London: E. Cotes, page 182
3. Involving use of a code or cipher.
4. Of a crossword puzzle, or a clue in such a puzzle, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5. (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
6. (zoology) Serving as camouflage.
  Quotations
  Episematic characters are far less common than aposematic, and these than cryptic; although, as regards the latter comparison, the opposite impression is generally produced from the fact that concealment is so successfully attained.
  1911, “Colours of Animals”, in The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, volume V, page 732
7. (biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.
8. (zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.
  Quotations
  Much of the Permian Capitan reef was strongly differentiated into open surface and cryptic communities.
  1999, Rachel Wood, Reef Evolution, page 95
noun
plural cryptics
1. (informal) A cryptic crossword puzzle.
  Quotations
  He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent. He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.
  1996, Mary McCarthy, Remember Me, page 85
  This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.
  2009 February 1, Bill Taylor, “Building a crossword”, in Toronto Star