hypogeal

adjective

hy·​po·​ge·​al ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-əl 

variants or hypogean

ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-ən 

or hypogeous

ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-əs 

1

: growing or living below the surface of the ground

2

of a cotyledon : remaining below the ground while the epicotyl elongates

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin hypogēus, hypogaeos "underground, subterranean" (borrowed from Greek hypógeios, hypógaios, from hypo- hypo- + -geios, adjective derivative of gê "earth" and -gaios, adjective derivative of gaîa "earth") + -al entry 1, -an entry 2, -ous — more at geo-

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1