cephalic index

American  

noun

1. Cephalometry, Craniometry. the ratio of the greatest breadth of the head to its greatest length from front to back, multiplied by 100.

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cephalic index British  

noun

1. the ratio of the greatest width of the human head to its greatest length, multiplied by 100

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Etymology

Origin of cephalic index

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

If we now divide the maximum breadth by the maximum length and multiply the result by 100 we get what is known as the cephalic index of the skull.

From Rough Stone Monuments and Their Builders by Peet, T. Eric (Thomas Eric)

The variations of the cephalic index are here of no great importance.

From Outspoken Essays by Inge, William Ralph

Investigations have shown that facial angle and capacity of cranium and cephalic index afford no certain criterion of thought power or susceptibility to culture.

From A Review of Hoffman's Race Traits and Tendencies of the American Negro The American Negro Academy. Occasional Papers No. 1 by Miller, Kelly

It has already been noted that the average cephalic index is practically the same; the only possibility of a change then lies in the amount of variability.

From Applied Eugenics by Popenoe, Paul

They could only estimate the capacity of the brain-pan, argue about the cephalic index, and guess at the frontal angle: it was a terrible blow to science.

From The Terror from the Depths by Wright, Sewell Peaslee