crypt

¹

[ kript ]

noun

1. a subterranean chamber or vault, especially one beneath the main floor of a church, used as a burial place, a location for secret meetings, etc.
2. Anatomy. a slender pit or recess; a small glandular cavity.

crypt-

²

1. variant of crypto- before a vowel.

crypt

/ krɪpt /

noun

1. a cellar, vault, or underground chamber, esp beneath a church, where it is often used as a chapel, burial place, etc
2. anatomy any pitlike recess or depression

Derived Forms

• ˈcryptal, adjective

Other Words From

• under·crypt noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crypt¹

1375–1425 for sense “grotto”; 1555–65 for current senses; late Middle English cripte < Latin crypta < Greek kryptḗ hidden place, noun use of feminine of kryptós hidden, verbid of krýptein to hide; replacing earlier crypta < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of crypt¹

C18: from Latin crypta, from Greek kruptē vault, secret place, from kruptos hidden, from kruptein to hide

Example Sentences

The long crypt tunnels into a hillside, only visible by a smattering of skylights peeking up between graves.

From The Daily Beast

Because of the German clothing, they were turned over to the Germans, who interred them in a crypt in France.

From The Daily Beast

The “home of the NRA gun collection” was as quiet as a crypt.

From The Daily Beast

But the Vatican has made one thing clear: De Pedis will not be reburied in the church crypt.

From The Daily Beast

In the far corners of the crypt were dozens of boxes of human remains.

From The Daily Beast

A large recess in the wall next to the Papal Crypt is thought to have held her sarcophagus.

From Project Gutenberg

The first of these areas which we reach on entering the vineyard is that known as the crypt of St. Lucina.

From Project Gutenberg

The names of many Ccilii and other noble Roman families are also found on epitaphs in this crypt.

From Project Gutenberg

The same purpose is effected within the crypt by balustrades, and even by parallel galleries to the same chamber.

From Project Gutenberg

Then about twenty monks, with their heads buried in immense hoods, came out of the crypt, and stationed themselves in the nave.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Crypt-

What does crypt- mean?

Crypto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “hidden, secret.” It is used in many scientific, medical, and other technical terms.

Crypto- comes from the Greek kryptós, meaning “hidden.” The word crypt also derives from this root. Dig up the connection at our entry for the word.

In anatomy, crypto- specifically refers to a crypt in its specialized sense of a “slender pit or recess” or a “small glandular cavity.”

Crypt- is a variant of crypto-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use crypto- article.

Examples of crypt-

The combining form crypt- is featured in the word cryptonym, meaning “a secret name or word” or “a code name or code word.”

The first part of the word, crypt-, means “secret.” The second part, -onym, means “word” or “name.” Cryptonym literally means “secret name.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form crypt-?

• cryptanalyst
• cryptesthesia
• cryptectomy
• cryptic (from Greek kryptikós)
• cryptitis

What are some other forms that crypt- may be commonly confused with?

• cortico-
• cryo-
• cteno-

Break it down!

The combining form -ectomy means “excision.” What does the medical procedure cryptectomy involve?