1In the rhetorical theory of Peter Ramus (1515–72): the deliberate embellishment or obscuring of plain meaning or logical argument by use of metaphor, digressions, reordering of ideas, etc. Now historical.
rare in 18th and 19th centuries..
2Zoology. Cryptic coloration or behaviour; = crypticity.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in Dudley Fenner (c1558–1587), Church of England clergyman and Calvinist theologian. From post-classical Latin crypsis from ancient Greek κρύψις hiding, concealment from κρυπτός hidden + -σις.