decerebrate

[ verb dee-ser-uh-breyt; noun dee-ser-uh-breyt, -brit ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cer·e·brat·ed, de·cer·e·brat·ing.

1. Surgery. to remove the cerebrum.

noun

1. a decerebrated animal.
2. a person who, because of brain injury, exhibits behavior characteristic of a decerebrated animal.

decerebrate

verb

1. tr to remove the brain or a large section of the brain or to cut the spinal cord at the level of the brain stem of (a person or animal)

noun

1. a decerebrated individual

Derived Forms

• deˌcereˈbration, noun

Other Words From

• de·cere·bration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decerebrate¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; de- + cerebr- + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of decerebrate¹

C19: from de- + cerebro- + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The decerebrate animal's walk may be perfect in its co-ordination.

From Project Gutenberg

The first reflex is automatic, and so no doubt is the second, since the frog is decerebrate.

From Project Gutenberg