Obs. Forms: 4–5 spelonk(e; 4–6 spelunc, spelunk(e, 6 speluncke. [ad. L. spelunca or OF. spelonque, spelunque. Cf. MDu. spelonke, spelunke (Du. spelonk), MHG. and G. spelunke.] A cave or cavern; a grotto.
13[?]. S. Erkenwolde, 49, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 267. Thre sperlis of þe spelunke … Was metely made of þe marbre.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 270. Monkes and mendynauntz men bi hem-selue, In spekes an in spelonkes selden speken togideres.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xxiii. 9. Preye ȝe for me … that he ȝyue to me the dowble spelunk, or caue.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 5392. All spritis in þis spelonk here speke þai to-gedire.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, d ij b. Not hows of marchaundyse nor pytte or spelonke for theues.
1511. Guylforde’s Pilgr. (Camden), 24. Into the first of thyse two spelunkes entred the women.
1563. Becon, Reliques of Rome, 53 b. Our recluses haue grates of yron in their spelunckes and dennes.
