spelunk

== English == === Alternative forms === spelunc === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /spəˈlʌŋk/, /spiːˈlʌŋk/ Rhymes: -ʌŋk === Etymology 1 === From Middle English spelunke, from Old French spelonque and/or Latin spelunca, from Ancient Greek σπῆλυγξ (spêlunx, “cave”), related to σπέος (spéos). Cognates include Middle Dutch spelunke, spelonke, German Spelunke. ==== Noun ==== spelunk (plural spelunks) (obsolete) A cave, cavern or grotto. ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === U.S., 1940s. Back-formation from spelunker. ==== Verb ==== spelunk (third-person singular simple present spelunks, present participle spelunking, simple past and past participle spelunked) To explore caves. To explore a system in depth. ===== Synonyms ===== cave ===== Derived terms ===== spelunking ===== Translations =====