a subterraneous cell or vault, especially under a church, for the interment of particular families or persons. S. Ciampini, describing the outside of the Vatican, speaks of the crypte of St Andrew, St Paul &c. The word is formed of κρύπτω, al/condo, "I hide;" whence κρυπτή, crypta.

Vitruvius uses the word crypta for a part of a building, answering nearly to our cells; Juvenal for a cloaca. Hence crypto porticus, a subterraneous place arched or vaulted, used as an under-work or passageway in old walls. The same is also used for the decoration at the entry of a grotto.

CRYPTA is also used by some of our ancient writers for a chapel or oratory underground.

in Anatomy: A name given by Ruyssch to glands situated on the back of the tongue, and to glands of the intestines.