Acephal is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language. However, it is a word that has a specific meaning and can be found in various dictionaries. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of acephal, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
The term acephal refers to something that is headless or lacks a head. It can also be used to describe a group or organization that does not have a leader or a governing body. In medical terminology, acephal is used to describe a condition where a fetus is missing its head or brain.
Origin
The word acephal comes from the Greek word “a-” meaning “without” and “kephalē” meaning “head.” Its earliest usage dates back to the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, acephal is defined as “headless, without a head.” Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “having no head or no leader.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines acephal as “without a head or without a leader.”
Associations
Acephal is often associated with the idea of being leaderless or lacking a governing body. It can also be associated with the concept of being incomplete or lacking an essential part.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of acephal include headless, leaderless, unheaded, and without a head.
Antonyms
The antonyms of acephal include headed, led, governed, and complete.
The same root words
Some words that have the same root as acephal include cephalic, meaning relating to the head, and encephalitis, meaning inflammation of the brain.
Example Sentences
- The statue was found acephal in the ruins of the old temple.
- The company was left acephal after the sudden resignation of its CEO.
- The medical report showed that the fetus had an acephal condition.
- The acephal group struggled to make decisions without a leader.
- The acephal committee failed to reach a consensus on the issue.