Crypt
/krɪpt/noun
A stone chamber or underground vault, typically beneath a church, used as a burial place.
Did you know?The term 'crypt' originates from the Greek word 'kryptē', which means 'hidden', reflecting the secretive nature of tombs and burial sites throughout history.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κρυπτή (kryptē)
“A hidden or concealed place, often used to refer to secret chambers.”
Latin
Latin
crypta
“A vault or underground chamber, especially for burials.”
Old French
Old French
crypte
“A burial vault, adopted from Latin.”
Middle English
Middle English
cript
“A vault or chamber used for burial, derived from Old French.”
Modern English
English
crypt
“An underground chamber for burials, retaining the connotations of secrecy and concealment.”
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