It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

crypto

hidden

Yes
.
Yes
.

Examples

Definition

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crypt (3)

(noun) - from the Greek word = an underground room or vault often used as a burial place.

cryptic (3)

(adj.) - from the Greek word = something which is ambiguous or has a hidden meaning. Cryptically is the adverb form.

cryptogram (5)

(noun) - hidden + letter = a secret message written in a code or cipher.

cryptography (4)

(noun) - hidden + writing = the process of writing or decoding secret messages. A cryptographer is a person who is good at this.

decrypt (5)

(verb) - reverse, from + hidden = decode or translate a secret message. Decryption is the noun form.

encrypt (4)

(verb) - in, into + hidden to encipher or encode a message. Encryption is the noun form.