crypt Hear it!

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 (kriptəl) adjective
crypt Synonyms

crypt

n.

crypt Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • cathedral: His stone cannon balls can still be seen in the crypt of the Cathedral.
  • church: The crypt of the priory church is wholly composed of Roman stones.

Converse of object

  • vault: Under the chapel is a vaulted crypt, probably built for a charnel, the position being a usual one.
  • enter: Van Helsing and Arthur enter the crypt They find three coffins with women lying in them ARTHUR: My God, what are they?
  • have: Her memories included hiding in the crypt of a church which was believed never to have had a crypt.
  • visit: To answer one query that appeared, I do recall often visiting the crypt of the Clock Tower for the usual reason.
  • cense: See Ritual Music for pieces suggested as being suitable for this ritual. ) The Elder of Earth censes the Crypt and guards the door.

Adjective modifier

  • medieval: Beneath Guildhall lie the largest medieval crypts in London.
  • ancient: There are many museums in Constance but also take a look at the minster with of course the usual ancient crypt.
  • old: How would all that bear upon the visits by night to the old crypt?
  • large: Beneath Guildhall lie the largest medieval crypts in London.
  • underground: Send up a prayer for far-off people from the underground crypt in the Abbey.

Modifies a noun

  • entrance: Situated under the crossing arch in the north transept, not far from the crypt entrance, this chapel dates from about 1200.
  • door: Minutes later he enters the crypt door - why?
  • cell: Animal studies have shown that changes in mucosal crypt cells are related to colon cancer risk.
  • chapel: Stone altar in the crypt chapel of St Robert.
  • fission: A = normal mucosa B = deformation C = crypt fission D = polyp Figure 3: Progression toward malignancy.

Noun used with modifier

  • church: I read poems in a dark church crypt to a small, keen audience.
  • century: It has a 12th century crypt and a medieval chancel.
  • family: Thinking her dead, her parents will place her in the family crypt.