Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

hydrocephalus

[hahy-druh-sef-uh-luh s]
See more synonyms for hydrocephalus on Thesaurus.com
noun Pathology.
  1. 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.
Show More
Also hy·dro·ceph·a·ly [hahy-druh-sef-uh-lee] /ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə li/.

Origin of hydrocephalus

1660–70; < Late Latin hydrocephalus (morbus) water-headed (sickness), translation of Greek tò hydroképhalon (páthos). See hydro-1, -cephalous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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

hydrocephaly (ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfəlɪ)

noun
  1. 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 headNontechnical name: water on the brain
Show More
Derived Formshydrocephalic (ˌhaɪdrəʊsɛˈfælɪk), hydrocephaloid or hydrocephalous, adjective
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 hydrocephaly

hydrocephalus

n.

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

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hydrocephaly in Medicine

hydrocephalus

(hī′drō-sĕf′ə-ləs)
n.
  1. 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.
Show More
Related formshy′dro•ce•phal′ic (-sə-făl′ĭk) null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
hydrocephaly in Science

hydrocephalus

[hī′drō-sĕf′ə-ləs]
  1. 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.
Show More
Related formshydrocephalic adjective (hī′drō-sə-făl′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.