Cryptozoic

Cryp to zo ic |ˌkriptəˈzō -ik ˌkrɪptəˈzoʊɪk ˌkrɪptəˈzoʊɪk | ▶adjective Geology of, relating to, or denoting the period (the Precambrian ) in which rocks contain no, or only slight, traces of living organisms. Compare with Phanerozoic. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from Greek kruptos ‘hidden ’ + zōē ‘life ’ + -ic .

cryptozoic

cryp to zo ic |ˌkriptəˈzō -ik ˌkrɪptəˈzoʊɪk | ▶adjective Ecology (of small invertebrates ) living on the ground but hidden in the leaf litter, under stones or pieces of wood. DERIVATIVES cryp to zo a |-ˈzōə |plural noun ORIGIN late 19th cent.: from Greek kruptos ‘hidden ’ + zōē ‘life ’ + -ic .

Cryptozoic

Cryptozoic |ˌkrɪptəˈzəʊɪk | ▶adjective Geology relating to or denoting the period (the Precambrian ) in which rocks contain no, or only slight, traces of living organisms. Compare with Phanerozoic. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from Greek kruptos ‘hidden ’ + zōē ‘life ’ + -ic .

cryptozoic

cryptozoic |ˌkrɪptəˈzəʊɪk | ▶adjective Ecology (of small invertebrates ) living on the ground but hidden in the leaf litter under stones or pieces of wood. DERIVATIVES cryptozoa plural noun ORIGIN late 19th cent.: from Greek kruptos ‘hidden ’ + zōē ‘life ’ + -ic .