ˌkriptəˌnēmēˈā(ˌ)lēz noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from crypt- + Greek nēma thread + New Latin -i- + -ales — more at needle
: an order of red algae (class Rhodophyceae) having the auxiliary cells borne on filaments that differ markedly from the vegetative filaments (as in lacking chromatophores and in being filled with dense protoplasm)