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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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
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