megalocephaly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “megalocephaly” mean?
An abnormal enlargement of the head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An abnormal enlargement of the head.
A medical condition or anatomical state characterized by an abnormally large head, often due to excessive growth of the cranial bones or abnormal brain development. In non-technical contexts, it can occasionally be used metaphorically to describe something disproportionately large or dominant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely clinical in both varieties. No additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, confined to specialised medical texts and discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “megalocephaly” in a Sentence
Patient *has/presents with* megalocephaly.Megalocephaly *is associated with/caused by* X.To *diagnose/observe* megalocephaly.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megalocephaly” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The paediatrician noted the megalocephalic features in the scan.
American English
- The child was diagnosed with a megalocephalic condition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and anthropological research papers.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
Core context of use. Found in clinical diagnoses, medical textbooks, and case studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megalocephaly”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megalocephaly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megalocephaly”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a megalocephalic baby' is correct; 'a megalocephaly baby' is not).
- Confusing it with 'hydrocephalus' (which is fluid on the brain, a potential cause).
- Mispronouncing the stress: it's on the 'ceph' syllable /ˈsɛf/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern clinical usage, they are essentially synonymous, though 'macrocephaly' is the more commonly used term. 'Megalocephaly' is often found in older or more specific anthropological texts.
No. This is a technical medical term for a physical condition. Using it metaphorically for arrogance would be incorrect, non-standard, and likely misunderstood.
The direct medical antonym is 'microcephaly', which is a condition of having an abnormally small head.
Not necessarily. It can be benign and familial (running in families with no ill effects), or it can be a sign of underlying neurological issues. A medical professional must determine the cause.
An abnormal enlargement of the head.
Megalocephaly is usually technical/medical in register.
Megalocephaly: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡələʊˈsɛfəli/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡəloʊˈsɛfəli/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGA (huge) + CEPHALY (related to the head, like in 'encephalitis'). So, a MEGA-large head condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A - Technical term.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'megalocephaly'?