crypt-

¹ American  

1. variant of crypto- before a vowel.

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crypt ² 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 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

When the structure is completed and the scaffolding dismantled, the tower will be blessed on June 10 to coincide with the centenary of the death of Gaudi, whose body lies in the basilica's crypt.

From Barron's

The gut is made up of tiny structures called crypts, each formed from a single stem cell.

From Science Daily

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