Standard Lemma guide

encephalo-

prefix · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prefix

Meaning 1

Pertaining to the brain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: morpheme

Examples

  • Holonym: cephalo-

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Ancient Greek ἐν (en) Ancient Greek ἐν- (en-) Proto-Indo-European *ghebh- Proto-Indo-European *-ōl ? Proto-Indo-European *ghébhōlder. Proto-Hellenic *khephəlā́ Ancient Greek κεφᾰλή (kephălḗ) Ancient Greek -ος (-os) Ancient Greek ἐγκέφᾰλος (enképhălos)der. English encephalo- From en- + cephalo-. From Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos, “brain”) (within the head), from ἐν (en, “in”) + κεφαλή (kephalḗ, “head”).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: enkefalo- — pertaining to the brain
  • Finnish: aivo- — pertaining to the brain
  • French: encéphalo- — pertaining to the brain
  • Polish: encefalo- — pertaining to the brain
  • Spanish: encefalo- — pertaining to the brain