spelaean

or spe·le·an

[spi-lee-uh n]

adjective

of, relating to, or inhabiting a cave or caves.

Origin of spelaean

1830–40; < New Latin spēlae(us) (adj. derivative of Latin spēlaeum cave < Greek spḗlaion) + -an

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for spelaean

spelaean

spelean

adjective

of, found in, or inhabiting cavesspelaean animals

Word Origin for spelaean

C19: via New Latin, from Latin spēlaeum a cave, from Greek spēlaion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012