crypt

A crypt is an underground chamber or vault beneath a church, chapel, or other sacred building, used for burial or the storage of sacred objects. Crypts are often accessed from a separate entrance and may contain tombs, sarcophagi, and chapels for memorial rites. In Christian contexts they frequently house relics and serve as places of prayer for the deceased and for visitors.

Etymology and architecture: The term derives from Latin crypta, from Greek kryptē meaning hidden or concealed. In medieval and later architecture, crypts were built under the main sanctuary and often feature vaulted ceilings, thick masonry, and controlled air to preserve remains. They are distinguished from catacombs, which are extensive networks of underground passageways; crypts are typically single enclosed burial chambers within a building.

In computing, crypt is a shorthand reference to cryptography, the study and practice of securing information. Cryptography encompasses encryption and decryption, using symmetric or asymmetric algorithms, as well as hashing and digital signatures. A file or message described as being in crypt or encrypted requires a key to decrypt, with historical and modern standards including DES, AES, and RSA.

In modern usage, the term crypt also appears in titles and descriptions of secure storage, digital wallets, and blockchain-related contexts, reflecting the broader sense of safeguarding data or artifacts.