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crypt definition

crypt (kript)

noun

  1. an underground chamber or vault, as one under the main floor of a church, often, esp. formerly, serving as a burial place
  2. Anat. any of various recesses, glandular cavities, or follicles in the body

Etymology: ME cript < L crypta < Gr kryptē < kryptos, hidden < kryptein, to hide < IE *krubh- < base *kru-, to pile up, cover > OIr cráu, hut

Related Forms:

  • cryptal crypt′al (krip′təl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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