crypt

¹ American  

[kript] / krɪpt /

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.

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crypt- ² American  

1. variant of crypto- before a vowel.

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crypt British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• cryptal adjective
• undercrypt noun

Etymology

Origin of crypt

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

Example Sentences

An ancient well, buried in the sacred crypt of a historic Glasgow church, has been excavated and transformed into a major art project, seen by the public for the first time in living memory.

From BBC

An ancient box tomb thought to be built in the 1700s has collapsed in a church cemetery, exposing a large underground crypt.

From BBC

The foundation will hold a series of events to commemorate the architect, who is buried in the church's crypt.

From BBC

Coffins, a crypt and a creepy statue of a young girl are what greets us.

From Los Angeles Times

An Anglican church in Dublin has been unable to reopen a historic crypt to the public since the remains of mummified bodies were damaged in an arson attack.

From BBC