crypsis
/ˈkrɪpsɪs/noun
1In the rhetorical theory of Peter Ramus (1515–72): the deliberate embellishment or obscuring of plain meaning or logical argument by use of metaphor, digressions, reordering of ideas, etc. Now historical.
- rare in 18th and 19th centuries..
2 Zoology. Cryptic coloration or behaviour; = crypticity.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in Dudley Fenner (c1558–1587), Church of England clergyman and Calvinist theologian. From post-classical Latin crypsis from ancient Greek κρύψις hiding, concealment from κρυπτός hidden + -σις.