acephalic, a.
(æsɪˈfælɪk)
[f. Gr. ἀκέϕαλος (see Acephali) + -ic.]
Headless, lit. and fig. So acephalia (æsɪˈfeɪlɪə), absence of a head.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Acephalick.., without head, title, or beginning. Ibid. s.v. Heresie, The Acephalick Sects of Barcotabas, [etc.]. 1839–47 Todd's Cycl. Anat. III. 718/1 A total defect of the brain is found in that state in which the head is wanting (Acephalia)... The acephalic state is very frequent. It is always associated with complete or nearly complete absence of the cranial bones. 1924 Glasgow Herald 31 Dec., The acephalic creatures, with eyes in their breasts, of whom..St. Augustine declared he had seen a specimen. |