anencephalous, a. Phys.
(ænɪnˈsɛfələs)
[mod. f. Gr. ἀνεγκέϕαλ-ος in Galen (f. ἀν priv. + ἐγκέϕαλος brain, prop. adj. ‘within the head,’ f. ἐγ = ἐν in + κεϕαλή head) + -ous. Cf. Fr. anencéphale.]
Brainless; wanting, or bereft of, the brain.
| 1836–39 Todd Cycl. Anat. & Phys. II. 471/2 Congenital malformations, such as acephalous and anencephalous states. 1855 Bain Senses & Intell. i. ii. §20 (1864) 58 The Automatic actions..we have seen to go on in the decapitated or anencephalous animal. |