adj
Meanings
-
1
adj
having an abnormally small head, usually as a result of microcephaly; also used comparatively in anatomy
The specimen was described as microcephalous relative to other members of the genus.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
1
adj
· having an abnormally small...
microcephalic
Opposites
macrocephalousnormocephalic
Word family
Derived forms
microcephaly
Etymology
A scientific formation from micro- ('small') + -cephalous ('headed'). Both elements derive from Greek: mikros, 'small,' and kephale, 'head.' Microcephalic is now the more usual medical adjective, while microcephalous also occurs in older medical, anatomical, and zoological writing.