Draft entry November 2005

cryptolect, n. Linguistics.

Brit. /ˈkrɪptəlɛkt/, U.S. /ˈkrɪptəˌlɛk(t)/

[‹ crypto- comb. form + -lect comb. form.]

A secret or arcane language used by a particular group or section of a community.

Derivatives. cryptolectal adj.

https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cryptolect_n

Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “cryptolect (n.),” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/9138941892