cephalic

adjective

ce·​phal·​ic sə-ˈfa-lik How to pronounce cephalic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the head
cephalic measurements
2
: directed toward or situated on or in or near the head
gastropods with cephalic tentacles
dragons with cephalic horns
cephalically adverb

Examples of cephalic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
However, during the third trimester, as space in the uterus gets tight, most fetuses naturally reposition into the cephalic fetal position, which is ideal for delivery. Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 The ideal presentation is the cephalic or vertex position. Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 If there are no complications in your pregnancy and the baby has not yet turned on its own by the 36th or 37th week, your doctor may attempt to turn the baby using a manual procedure called external cephalic version (ECV). Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 25 July 2024 While the hormones and neural signals are crucial to satiation, so is the sensory experience that takes place during the first phase of digestion—the cephalic phase—which begins at the sight of food. Andrew Chapman, Longreads, 18 Apr. 2024 However, most babies turn into a head-down position (cephalic presentation) somewhere around 36 weeks gestation. Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023 This tulkun, however, has seen better days: Two-thirds of its cephalic fin has been blown off, which speaks to the film's wider warfare. Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022 Abdominal examination revealed a term pregnancy with a cephalic fetal presentation. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2018 Typically, tulkun have large petrel wings like a humpback whale, as well as a cephalic fin (an end fin). Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle French céphalique, from Latin cephalicus, from Greek kephalikos, from kephalē head; akin to Old High German gebal skull, Old Norse gafl gable, Tocharian A śpāl head

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cephalic was in 1571

Dictionary Entries Near cephalic

Cite this Entry

“Cephalic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cephalic. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

cephalic

adjective
ce·​phal·​ic sə-ˈfal-ik How to pronounce cephalic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the head
2
: directed toward or situated on or in or near the head
cephalically adverb
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