crypt

¹

[kript]

noun

1. a subterranean chamber or vault, especially one beneath the main floor of a church, used as a burial place, a location for secret meetings, etc.

2. Anatomy.,  a slender pit or recess; a small glandular cavity.

crypt-

²

1. variant of crypto- before a vowel.

crypt

/ krɪpt /

noun

1. a cellar, vault, or underground chamber, esp beneath a church, where it is often used as a chapel, burial place, etc

2. anatomy any pitlike recess or depression

Other Word Forms

• cryptal adjective
• undercrypt noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crypt¹

1375–1425 for sense “grotto”; 1555–65 for current senses; late Middle English cripte < Latin crypta < Greek kryptḗ hidden place, noun use of feminine of kryptós hidden, verbid of krýptein to hide; replacing earlier crypta < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of crypt¹

C18: from Latin crypta, from Greek kruptē vault, secret place, from kruptos hidden, from kruptein to hide

Example Sentences

Coffins, a crypt and a creepy statue of a young girl are what greets us.

From Los Angeles Times

An Anglican church in Dublin has been unable to reopen a historic crypt to the public since the remains of mummified bodies were damaged in an arson attack.

From BBC

Her protest work has made her a fugitive of the Chinese state, a detail not lost on me as we meet one icy morning in the café in the crypt of Westminster Abbey.

From BBC

Additionally, the candelabra will appear a third time, materializing in a cemetery crypt in the ride’s final act.

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent midweek night in September, Crypto.com Arena is truly a crypt.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does crypt- mean?

Crypto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “hidden, secret.” It is used in many scientific, medical, and other technical terms.Crypto- comes from the Greek kryptós, meaning “hidden.” The word crypt also derives from this root. Dig up the connection at our entry for the word.In anatomy, crypto- specifically refers to a crypt in its specialized sense of a “slender pit or recess” or a “small glandular cavity.”Crypt- is a variant of crypto-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.Want to know more? Read our Words That Use crypto- article.