atelocephalous
|a-te-lo-ceph-a-lous|
/əˌtɛləˈsɛfələs/
imperfect or incomplete head/skull
Etymology
'atelocephalous' originates from New Latin (scientific coinage), ultimately from Greek: 'atelēs' (ἀτελής) meaning 'incomplete, imperfect' + 'kephalē' (κεφαλή) meaning 'head'.
'atelocephalous' was formed in New Latin by combining the Greek roots 'atelēs' + 'kephalē' for use in zoological/anatomical description and entered English scientific usage in the 19th century.
Initially it meant 'having an imperfect or incomplete head/skull' in specialist descriptions; this specific biological/anatomical meaning has been retained.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having an imperfectly developed head or skull; lacking a fully formed cephalic structure (technical, used in zoology/anatomy).
The specimen was described as atelocephalous, indicating the skull had not reached full development.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/10 04:00