<B>crypt, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>an underground room or vault. The crypt beneath the main floor of a church was formerly often used as a burial place. <DD><B> 2. </B>(Anatomy.) a small tubular gland, cavity, or follicle. <DD><B> 3. </B>(Informal.) a cryptogram. </DL>
<A NAME="crypt">
<B>crypt-,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (combining form.) a variant of <B>crypto-</B> before some vowels, as in <I>cryptanalytic, cryptic.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptal">
<B>cryptal, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or of the nature of a crypt. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptanalysis">
<B>cryptanalysis, </B>noun, pl. <B>-ses.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> the breakdown and deciphering of coded messages, or the process of discovering the cryptographic system used in them. <BR> <I>Ex. He notes that cryptanalysis requires, among other things, concentration, perseverance, and a vivid imagination (E. B. White).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptanalyst">
<B>cryptanalyst, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a person who does cryptanalysis. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptanalytic">
<B>cryptanalytic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> engaged in or responsible for the breakdown of codes, especially in wartime. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptic">
<B>cryptic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>having a hidden meaning; secret; mysterious. <BR> <I>Ex. a cryptic message. We could not fully understand his cryptic remark.</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>(Zoology.) serving to hide or camouflage. adv. <B>cryptically.</B> </DL>
<B>crypto-,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (combining form.) <DD><B> 1. </B>hidden; secret. <BR> <I>Ex. Cryptogram = something written in secret code.</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>secretly; disguised; not open or avowed. <BR> <I>Ex. Crypto-fascist = secretly fascist.</I> <DD> Also, <B>crypt-</B> before some vowels. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptoanalysis">
<B>cryptoanalysis, </B>noun, pl. <B>-ses.</B> <B>=cryptanalysis.</B></DL>
<A NAME="cryptobiosis">
<B>cryptobiosis, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>the ability of an organism, such as various lower invertebrates, to survive in a state of metabolic inactivity, as at certain very low temperatures. <DD><B> 2. </B>the state of suspended animation in which such organisms are able to live. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptobiote">
<B>cryptobiote, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a cryptobiotic organism. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptobiotic">
<B>cryptobiotic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> characterized by cryptobiosis; able to survive in a state of metabolic inactivity. <BR> <I>Ex. a cryptobiotic organism.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptoclastic">
<B>cryptoclastic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> composed of particles too small to be seen by the unaided eye. <BR> <I>Ex. cryptoclastic rocks.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptococcal">
<B>cryptococcal, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> caused by any one of a group of yeastlike, often pathogenic, fungi. <BR> <I>Ex. cryptococcal meningitis.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptococcosis">
<B>cryptococcosis, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a highly fatal systemic infection, especially of the brain and its covering membranes, caused by a microscopic fungus. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptocommunist">
<B>crypto-Communist</B> or <B>crypto-communist, </B>noun, adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><I>noun </I> a person who is secretly a Communist or Communist sympathizer. <DD><I>adj. </I> secretly Communist or sympathizing with Communism. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptocrystalline">
<B>cryptocrystalline, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> (Mineralogy.) minutely crystalline; having crystals too small to be seen even with a microscope. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptofascist">
<B>crypto-fascist, </B>noun, adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><I>noun </I> a person who is secretly a fascist or fascist sympathizer. <DD><I>adj. </I> secretly fascist or sympathizing with fascism. <BR> <I>Ex. a crypto-fascist regime.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptogam">
<B>cryptogam, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> (Botany.) an old term for plants having no seeds, such as ferns and mosses. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptogamic">
<B>cryptogamic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of cryptogams; resembling cryptogams. </DL>
<B>cryptogram, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> something written in secret code or cipher. <BR> <I>Ex. I completed today's cryptogram in the morning newspaper, which I had never had enough patience to even begin in the past, in about one-half hour (New Yorker).</I> </DL>
<B>cryptographer, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>an expert in cryptography. <DD><B> 2. </B>a person who writes in cipher. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptographic">
<B>cryptographic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or of the nature of cryptography. <BR> <I>Ex. A branch of the movement bases its claims on cryptographic proofs ... on evidence derived from ciphers or other cryptographic systems allegedly incorporated in the plays themselves (Scientific American).</I> adv. <B>cryptographically.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptographical">
<B>cryptographical, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having to do with cryptography. </DL>
<B>cryptography, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>the art or process of using or deciphering secret codes or ciphers. <DD><B> 2. </B>anything written in secret codes or ciphers. </DL>
<B>cryptological, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or having to do with cryptology. <BR> <I>Ex. a meticulous study of Elizabethan printing methods, combined with a whole series of highly technical cryptological checks (Time).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptologist">
<B>cryptologist, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a person who studies cryptology. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptology">
<B>cryptology, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>the study of cryptograms; cryptography. <DD><B> 2. </B><B>=cryptanalysis.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="cryptomeria">
<B>cryptomeria, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> an evergreen tree of the taxodium family, native to China and Japan, often grown for ornament. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptonym">
<B>cryptonym, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a secret name. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptonymous">
<B>cryptonymous, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having the name concealed; anonymous. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptophyte">
<B>cryptophyte, </B>noun. <B>=cryptogam.</B></DL>
<A NAME="cryptorchid">
<B>cryptorchid, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a male animal having one or two testicles that have not descended into the scrotum. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptorchidism">
<B>cryptorchidism, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> failure of one or two testicles to descend into the scrotum. </DL>
<B>cryptovolcanic, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> of or relating to a cryptovolcano. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptovolcano">
<B>cryptovolcano, </B>noun, pl. <B>-noes</B> or <B>-nos.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a volcanic eruption occurring at such great depth that it does not reach or deform the earth's surface, usually only producing a circular depression several miles wide with a central body of uplifted rocks. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptozoological">
<B>cryptozoological, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>of legendary animals. <DD><B> 2. </B>of or having to do with cryptozoology. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptozoologist">
<B>cryptozoologist, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> an expert in cryptozoology. </DL>
<A NAME="cryptozoology">
<B>cryptozoology, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the study of and search for legendary animals. <BR> <I>Ex. The formation ... of the International Society of Cryptozoology (the study of "hidden" animals) confers a new respectability on scientists who study the likes of ... Sasquatch, the Himalayan Yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster (Pat Ohlendorf).</I> noun <B>cryptozoologist.</B> </DL>
