CRYPTIC

cryptic

(adjective) having a puzzling terseness; “a cryptic note”

cabalistic, kabbalistic, qabalistic, cryptic, cryptical, sibylline

(adjective) having a secret or hidden meaning; “cabalistic symbols engraved in stone”; “cryptic writings”; “thoroughly sibylline in most of his pronouncements”- John Gunther

cryptic, cryptical, deep, inscrutable, mysterious, mystifying

(adjective) of an obscure nature; “the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms”; “a deep dark secret”; “the inscrutable workings of Providence”; “in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life”- Rachel Carson; “rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

cryptic (comparative more cryptic, superlative most cryptic)

Having hidden meaning.

Mystified or of an obscure nature.

Involving use of a code or cipher.

Of a crossword, or a clue in such a crossword, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.

(zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.

(zoology) Serving as camouflage.

(biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.

(zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.

Synonym: cryptozoic (less common)