cerebral

[ suh-ree-bruhl, ser-uh- ]

adjective

1. Anatomy, Zoology. of or relating to the cerebrum or the brain.
2. betraying or characterized by the use of the intellect rather than intuition or instinct:

   His is a cerebral music that leaves many people cold.

3. Phonetics. retroflex ( def 2 ).

noun

1. Phonetics. a cerebral sound.

cerebral

/ səˈriːbrəl; ˈsɛrɪbrəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the cerebrum or to the entire brain
2. involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
3. phonetics another word for cacuminal

noun

1. phonetics a consonant articulated in the manner of a cacuminal consonant

cerebral

/ sĕr′ə-brəl,sə-rē′brəl /

1. Relating to or involving the brain or cerebrum.

cerebral

1. A descriptive term for things pertaining to the brain or cerebrum .

Notes

The term is also used figuratively to describe things that appeal to the intellect.

Derived Forms

• ˈcerebrally, adverb

Other Words From

• ce·rebral·ly adverb
• inter·cere·bral adjective
• non·cere·bral adjective
• over·ce·rebral adjective
• post·ce·rebral adjective
• prece·rebral adjective
• sub·cere·bral adjective
• super·ce·rebral adjective
• super·ce·rebral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cerebral¹

From the New Latin word cerebrālis, dating back to 1795–1805. See cerebrum, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The cerebral McLaughlin, who also served as acting director of Central Intelligence, was hardly reassuring on the “what now?”

From The Daily Beast

In fact, the estrogen that they employed did worse than castrate the subject—it could act as a cerebral depressant.

From The Daily Beast

Ross has cerebral palsy, and the Pathways to Careers initiative of SourceAmerica helped him get his position.

From The Daily Beast

Its pleasures are undoubtedly visual, but also more cerebral than many of the other performing arts.

From The Daily Beast

Honor called the move “ballsy” and his friend shot back, “Cerebral ballsy!”

From The Daily Beast

Now, the intrusion of a definite, uncontorted memory was evidence of returning cerebral activity.

From Project Gutenberg

The cerebral neurasthenic makes rash, impetuous changes in his mode of life.

From Project Gutenberg

The rest of the subjects are still lodged within the cerebral cells of the author.

From Project Gutenberg

Is it not possible that one of the imperceptible keys of the cerebral finger-board has been paralyzed in me?

From Project Gutenberg

Wherever there has been much cerebral disturbance, traces of congestion are usually discernible.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analytical
• intelligent