cephalic

adjective ce·phal·ic \ sə-ˈfa-lik \

Definition of cephalic

1 : of or relating to the head

cephalic measurements

2 : directed toward or situated on or in or near the head

gastropods with cephalic tentacles

dragons with cephalic horns

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cephalically

play \-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of cephalic from the Web

Fisher and her husband ultimately opted for external cephalic version.

— julia naftulin, Health.com, "The Internet Is Freaking Out Over This Video of a Woman’s Baby Bump Being ‘Flipped’," 16 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cephalic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cephalic

Medieval French céphalique, from Latin cephalicus, from Greek kephalikos, from kephalē head; akin to Old High German gebal skull, Old Norse gafl gable, Tocharian A śpāl head

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year