Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
adj
Living in a cavity or small cave.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: biology, natural-sciences, zoology
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: cryptic
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Hidden (especially in the soil); not easily visible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: chiefly soil science
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Relating to a cryptozoite.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: medicine, parasitology, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
An eon or other time period before the Cambrian, when the fossils of hard-shelled animals first appeared in the geological record.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From crypto- + -zoic.
From crypto- + -zoic, as any life from the period was considered to be hidden from scientific examination.
Across languages
1 source translations are retained for this English entry.
