Historically, a person who secretly practiced or supported Catholicism in Protestant countries where it was forbidden or dangerous.
From Greek 'kryptos' (hidden) + 'papist' (Catholic, from 'Papa' meaning Pope). This term originated during the Protestant Reformation and persecutions when Catholics had to hide their faith.
Cryptopapists in Protestant England faced genuine danger—if discovered, they could lose property, freedom, or even their lives, so entire households developed elaborate secret rooms called 'priest holes' to hide their faith!
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