mesocephalic, a.
(ˌmɛsəʊsɪˈfælɪk)
[f. Gr. µέσο-ς meso- + κεϕαλ-ή head + -ic: cf. cephalic.]
1. Craniometry. Applied to skulls intermediate between dolichocephalic and brachycephalic; also to skulls having a capacity of from 1350 to 1450 cubic centimetres.
| 1866 Meigs Observ. Cran. Forms Amer. Aborigines 13 Such deviations fall naturally into an intermediate or meso⁓cephalic group. 1887 Academy 17 Sept. 188/1 The Tchuds are either mesocephalic or dolichocephalic. |
2. Anat. mesocephalic flexure: ‘the angular bend of the floor of the craniospinal cavity’.
| 1858 Huxley in Proc. Roy. Soc. IX. 421. |
So ‖ mesocephali (-ˈsɛfəlaɪ) n. pl. [mod.L.], persons having mesocephalic skulls; mesoˈcephalism, mesoˈcephaly, the condition or quality of being mesocephalic.
| 1866 Meigs Observ. Cran. Forms Amer. Aborigines 24 The Huron crania belong partly to the Brachycephali, and partly to the Mesocephali. 1885 Athenæum 27 June 827/1 In the former locality there exists a taller, darker, and more brachycephalic race, whilst in the latter mesocephaly prevails. 1888 S. V. Clevenger in Amer. Nat. XXII. 614 Departures from a width of eight and length of ten (mesocephalism)..determine whether the skull shall be considered long [etc.]. |