‖ microcephalus Path.
(maɪkrəʊˈsɛfələs)
Pl. microcephali (-ˈsɛfəlaɪ).
[mod.L.: see prec.]
1. A person having an abnormally small skull.
| 1863 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk. Med. 94 Healthy parents may produce one or several microcephali. 1879 tr. De Quatrefages' Hum. Spec. 111 Vogt has compared the brain of microcephali to that of the anthropomorphous apes. |
2. [Cf. ] A pathological condition in which the smallness of the cranium prevents the proper development of the brain.
| 1897 L. E. Holt Dis. Infancy 702 The symptoms of microcephalus are those of idiocy and cerebral paralysis. |