Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “crypto-” come from?

crypto- (English) comes from Ancient Greek κρυπτός, from Ancient Greek κρύπτω, from Proto-Indo-European krāu-.

crypto- (English): Hidden, invisible; Secret; Cryptographic

Definitions

  1. Hidden, invisible; Secret; Cryptographic

Ancestry of “crypto-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekκρυπτόςconcealed, hidden, secret
2Ancient Greekκρύπτωto hide, cover; to conceal, obscure
3Proto-Indo-Europeankrāu-—

Words derived from “crypto-”

  • cryptographic
  • cryptography
  • cryptosystem
  • cryptogenic
  • cryptanalysis
  • cryptogram
  • cryptology
  • cryptographically
  • cryptographer
  • cryptocrystalline
  • cryptoxanthin
  • cryptograph
  • cryptochrome
  • cryptanalyst
  • cryptogamous
  • cryptozoology
  • cryptophyte
  • cryptomnesia
  • cryptozoologist
  • cryptonym
  • cryptobiosis
  • cryptand
  • cryptoendolithic
  • cryptological
Every word from Proto-Indo-European krāu- →