hydrocephalus

[hahy-druh-sef-uh-luh s] /ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə ləs/

Word Origin

noun, Pathology.

an accumulation of serous fluid within the cranium, especially in infancy, due to obstruction of the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, often causing great enlargement of the head; water on the brain.

Also, hydrocephaly

[hahy-druh-sef-uh-lee] /ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə li/ (Show IPA).

Origin of hydrocephalus

Late Latin

Greek

1660-1670

1660-70; < Late Latin hydrocephalus (morbus) water-headed (sickness), translation of Greek tò hydroképhalon (páthos). See hydro-¹, -cephalous

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
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Examples from the Web for hydrocephaly

Historical Examples

The bombé forehead is characteristic of hydrocephaly, but may occur also in the scaphoid cranium.

Pedagogical Anthropology Maria Montessori

British Dictionary definitions for hydrocephaly

hydrocephalus

/ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfələs/

noun

accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain because its normal outlet has been blocked by congenital malformation or disease. In infancy it usually results in great enlargement of the head Nontechnical name water on the brain

Derived Forms

hydrocephalic (ˌhaɪdrəʊsɛˈfælɪk), hydrocephaloid, hydrocephalous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for hydrocephaly

hydrocephalus

1660s, medical Latin, from Greek hydro- "water" (see water (n.1)) + kephale "head" (see cephalo-). Related: Hydrocephalic; hydrocephalous.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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hydrocephaly in Medicine

hydrocephalus hy·dro·ceph·a·lus (hī'drō-sěf'ə-ləs) or hy·dro·ceph·a·ly (-lē)
n.
A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue.

hy'dro·ce·phal'ic (-sə-fāl'ĭk) or hy'dro·ceph'a·loid' adj.

hydrocephaly in Science

hydrocephalus (hī'drō-sěf'ə-ləs) also hydrocephaly

(hī'drō-sěf'ə-ləs)
A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of and injury to brain tissue. If hydrocephalus becomes progressive, a shunt is surgically placed to reduce pressure by conducting fluid away from the brain, usually to the peritoneum.

hydrocephalic adjective (hī'drō-sə-fāl'ĭk)

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