Etymology

Noun

1. Any creature that may or may not exist. Sightings of various cryptids have been reported, but their reality has not been proved.
   • 1999, Steve Burgess, "Loren Coleman, Loch Ness snowman of cryptozoology," salon.com, 16 Aug,

     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.