cryptobiōˈsis noun

A temporary suspension of metabolic activity in hostile environments, which can be reversed when conditions improve

cryptobiotic /-bī-otˈik/ adjective

crypto-Chrisˈtian noun

crypˈtochrome noun

A light-sensitive pigment, a photoreceptor protein, thought to control the circadian rhythm

cryptococcōˈsis noun

A rare infection caused by the yeastlike fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which, if inhaled, may cause meningitis and growths in the lungs

crypto-commˈunist noun

cryptocrystˈalline adjective

With crystalline structure visible only under the microscope

crypˈtogam noun

Any member of the Cryptogamia /krip-tō-gāˈmi-ə/, a former class of flowerless plants (including mosses, ferns, etc) that reproduce by means of spores rather than seeds

cryptogāˈmian adjective

cryptogamic /-gamˈik/ adjective

cryptogˈamist noun

cryptogˈamous adjective

cryptogˈamy noun

cryptogenˈic adjective

(of diseases) of unknown or obscure cause

crypˈtogram or crypˈtograph noun

Anything written in cipher

cryptogˈrapher or cryptogˈraphist noun

cryptographˈic adjective

cryptographˈically adverb

cryptogˈraphy noun

The study of writing and deciphering codes

cryptologˈical adjective

cryptolˈogist noun

cryptolˈogy noun

1. Secret language
2. The scientific study of codes

cryptomēˈria noun

The Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica

cryptomnesia /-mnēˈzi-ə or -zhə/ noun

Latent or subconscious memory

cryptomnēsˈic adjective

crypton noun see krypton

crypˈtonym noun

(Gr onyma name) a secret name

cryptonˈymous adjective

cryptorˈchid noun

A male human or animal in whom one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum

cryptorˈchidism noun

cryptosporidiōˈsis noun

An infection affecting humans and domestic animals, caused by the protozoan cryptosporidˈium (pl cryptosporidˈia), and characterized by diarrhoea, fever and stomach pains

cryptozōˈic adjective

1. (Gr zōē life) (of animals) living concealed in dark places
2. (with cap) denoting Precambrian time when rocks contained little or no trace of living organisms (geology)

cryptozoolˈogy noun

The study and attempted discovery of creatures, such as the Loch Ness monster, that are generally regarded as mythical