spelaean

or spe·le·an

[ spi-lee-uh n ]
/ spɪˈli ən /

adjective

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

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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, spell checker
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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