cryptolect

English

Etymology

crypto- (“concealed, hidden, secret”) +‎ -lect (“[language] variety”)

Pronunciation
  • (Received Pronunciation) enPR: krĭpʹtəlĕkt, IPA(key): /ˈkɹɪptəlɛkt/
  • (US) enPR: krĭpʹtəlĕkt', IPA(key): /ˈkɹɪptəˌlɛkt/

Noun

cryptolect (plural cryptolects)

  1. (linguistics) A secretive language form used by a subculture; an arcane cant.
    Cockney rhyming slang developed originally from the cryptolects of London’s thieves and vagabonds.

Derived terms

References
  • “cryptolect, n.” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary (draft entry, March 2006)
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