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.

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

1. Relating to or involving the brain or cerebrum.

cerebral

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

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

Other Word Forms

• cerebrally adverb
• intercerebral adjective
• noncerebral adjective
• overcerebral adjective
• postcerebral adjective
• precerebral adjective
• subcerebral adjective
• supercerebral adjective
• supercerebrally 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

Finn has cerebral palsy and goes to the Buddy Bear School.

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"It was a stark reminder that my cerebral palsy makes me stand out, and is often used as a weapon against me."

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It is amazing to learn that this composed and cerebral Welsh actor was, in boyhood, regarded as a dummy.

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The injury can affect the brain's ability to communicate with the body, leading to conditions such as epilepsy, which causes seizures, or cerebral palsy, which affects movement and coordination.

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The brain-related markers included a thinner cerebral cortex, white matter changes linked to vascular disease, and reduced or uneven blood flow.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• analytical 
• intelligent