spelaean

or spe·le·an

[ spi-lee-uhn ]

/ spɪˈli ən /

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adjective

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

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Origin of spelaean

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

Words nearby spelaean

speer, speir, speiss, spek, Speke, spelaean, speleology, speleotherapy, spelk, spell, spellbind

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British Dictionary definitions for spelaean

spelaean

spelean

/ (spɪˈliːən) /

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