uni-cephalic
|u-ni-ce-phal-ic|
/ˌjuːnɪˈsɛfəlɪk/
(unicephalic)
single-headed
Etymology
'uni-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'unus' meaning 'one', combined with 'cephalic' which derives from Greek 'kephalē' meaning 'head'.
'uni-cephalic' formed as a technical/compound adjective in New Latin/Modern scientific usage by joining Latin 'uni-' (from 'unus') and Late Latin/Greek-derived 'cephalic' (from Greek 'kephalē'), later entering English scientific vocabulary as 'unicephalic' or hyphenated 'uni-cephalic'.
Initially the roots meant 'one' and 'head' respectively; over time the compound came to mean specifically 'having one head' in anatomical/zoological descriptions and has retained that specialized meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having a single head; possessing one head (used especially in zoological, anatomical, or descriptive contexts).
The preserved fossil appeared uni-cephalic, unlike some related species that were polycephalic.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/08 13:30