crypticaladj.

1588 J. Harvey Discoursiue Probl. conc. Prophesies i. 8 Aristotle in his Topiques hath trained Sophisters to such Crypticall shifts, and sleights.

1599 Christian Let. Eng. Protestants 45 You would shew your selfe another Aristotle by a certaine metaphisicall and crupticall method to bring men into a maze.

1648 J. Goodwin Νεοϕυτοπρεσβυτερος 111 I would willingly know in what crypticall, mysticall, or retired sense he affirms the Orthodox aforesaid to be under the crosse?

1691 J. Dunton Voy. round World II. i. 5 The Method [is] not confused, though somewhat Cryptical, and requiring a little study to crack the Shell, and get out the Kernel.

1733 N. Markwick 6 Small Tracts iv. 107 God did indeed inform the beloved Daniel, (tho' in a cryptical, mystical Way) concerning this Affair.

1768 J. Coleridge Misc. Diss. Bk. Judges v. 63 Those cryptical and cabbalistical books, which were read only by their wise men and masters.

1844 T. De Quincey Greece under Romans in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 524/1 These cryptical or subterraneous currents of communication.

1891 Times 20 Nov. 4/6 The illustrations, so far as we can decipher the cryptical inscription on the title-page, [are] by Will and Frances Brundage and J. Pauline Sunter.

1940 Amer. Hist. Rev. 45 479 The interested reader finds himself continually instituting a search to discover whether some obscure comment or cryptical statement has been explained.

1994 Jrnl. Inquirer (Connecticut) (Nexis) 1 Aug. i. 23 ‘Where the heck is Plum Gully?’ went the simple, cryptical message.