acephalous

[ey-sef-uh-luh s]

adjective

Also a·ce·phal·ic [ey-suh-fal-ik] /ˌeɪ səˈfæl ɪk/. Zoology. headless; lacking a distinct head.
without a leader or ruler.

Origin of acephalous

1725–35; < Greek aképhalos; see a-⁶, -cephalous

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British Dictionary definitions for acephalic

acephalous

adjective

having no head or one that is reduced and indistinct, as certain insect larvae
having or recognizing no ruler or leader

Word Origin for acephalous

C18: via Medieval Latin from Greek akephalos. See a- 1, -cephalic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for acephalic

acephalous

adj.

"headless," 1731, from French acéphale + -ous, or directly from Late Latin acephalus, from Greek akephalos, from a- "not" + kephale "head" (see cephalo-).