Brachistocephalous is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language. However, it is an interesting word that has a unique meaning. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of brachistocephalous, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
The term brachistocephalous is an adjective that is used to describe a person or animal with a short, broad head. The term is derived from the Greek words “brachys,” meaning short, and “kephalē,” meaning head. Thus, brachistocephalous is used to describe a head that is shorter than it is wide.
Origin
The term brachistocephalous was first used in the mid-19th century by anthropologists to describe the shape of the skulls of certain human populations. It was used to differentiate between people with different head shapes and sizes.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, brachistocephalous is defined as “having a short, broad head.” In Merriam-Webster, it is defined as “having a short, broad head with a cephalic index of 80 or more.”
Associations
Brachistocephalous is often associated with certain human populations, such as those of Mongoloid and Native American ancestry. It is also associated with certain dog breeds, such as the Bulldog and Pug.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for brachistocephalous, including broad-headed, short-headed, and dolichocephalic.
Antonyms
The antonyms of brachistocephalous are dolichocephalic, which means having a long, narrow head, and mesocephalic, which means having a head of medium length and width.
The same root words
There are several other words that use the same root words as brachistocephalous, including brachycephalic, which means having a short, wide head, and cephalic, which means relating to the head.
Example Sentences
- The Bulldog is a brachistocephalous breed of dog.
- The Native American population was found to be predominantly brachistocephalous.
- The skull of the Pug is brachistocephalous in shape.
Brachistocephalous is a unique term that is used to describe a specific physical trait. It is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is important in certain fields, such as anthropology and veterinary medicine. Understanding the definition and meaning of brachistocephalous can help us better understand the world around us.