cryptid

English

Etymology

From crypt +‎ -id. English usage 1983; coined by John E. Wall in the ISC Newsletter.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɹɪp.tɪd/

Noun

cryptid (plural cryptids)

1. (cryptozoology) A creature known only from folklore or legend, the existence of which is not proven by scientific observation.
   • 1999 August 16, Steve Burgess, “Loren Coleman, Loch Ness snowman of cryptozoology”, in salon.com:

     Now comes perhaps the cleverest tag of all: cryptozoology. It refers to the search for new animals, animals dwelling in unexpected places, and most importantly for "X-Files" scriptwriters, "cryptids"—legendary creatures such as the yeti.

Translations

creature known only from folklore or legend, the existence of which is not proven by scientific observation

• German: Kryptid (de)
• Japanese: 幻獣 (ja) (げんじゅう, genjū)
• Portuguese: criptido m, criptídeo m
• Spanish: críptido m
• Swedish: kryptid c
• Ukrainian: крипти́д m (kryptýd)