cryptomorphic

Adjective

1. Two objects, especially systems of axioms or semantics for them, are called cryptomorphic if they are equivalent (possibly in some informal sense) but not obviously equivalent.
   • Find them, and prove that an operation satisfying them provides another cryptomorphic version of topology 8. - 1994, Michael Henle, A Combinatorial Introduction to Topology, page 269:
2. Having a form that obscures or masks the underlying meaning or purpose.
   • Some degree of light may perhaps be thrown on the cryptomorphic condition of bodies in combination, by our knowledge of the typical conditions of natural bodies generally, when uncombined. - 1883, Royal Society of...
   • But there are two drawings and a painting that will be shown to be of Cézanne père and that have not been recognized as such — because he is without the hat he wears in the works mentioned above — as well as...
   • I can imagine, for example, constructing the argument that Poe's Purloined Letter is the locus classicus for all cryptomorphic revelations. - 2004, James Elkins, Why Are Our Pictures Puzzles?:, page 186:
3. Having a cryptic structure in which the ultimate active product is carried by the precursorial protein rather than the protein actually encoded by the gene.
   • Three types of genes, namely, immunoglobulin genes, dimorphic genes and cryptomorphic genes, are classified as complex genes. - 2002, Gurbachan S. Miglani, Advanced Genetics, page 193:
   • Hence, among the lower vertebrates, the cistron may be diplomorphic rather than cryptomorphic. - 1987, Lawrence S. Dillon, The Gene: Its Structure, Function, and Evolution, page 487:
4. Found or occurring below the soil layer.
   • Either the cryptomorphic silica replaced the microcrystalline dolomite, followed by mineralization or the reverse, in the order of silicification, is possible. - 1930, Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of...
   • Cryptomorphic biological soil crusts are the most difficult to observe and occur to a lesser known extent within the Planning Area . - 2004, Andrews Mangement Unit/Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection...
   • The vertical flow of the substance may scatter and create dissipative cryptomorphic structures on the surface, which are poorly expressed in the relief. - 2008, D. V. Lopatin, “Cryptomorphic Structures of the...
5. Composed of minerals that are not expressed in their crystalline form.
   • Both have 'cryptomorphic' types which are similar in composition but in which no felspar has crystallized. - 1925, The Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society - Volume 20, page 309: