Cranial
/ˈkreɪniəl/noun
Relating to the skull or cranium.
Did you know?Cranial ultimately traces to Ancient Greek kranion, meaning “skull,” while the related Greek kranos meant “helmet,” linking protection of the head with the head itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ker-
“A reconstructed root associated with the head or horn.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kranion
“Skull or upper part of the head.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kranos
“Helmet; a protective covering for the head.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
cranium
“Skull; the bony case enclosing the brain.”
17th Century
English
cranium
“The skull, adopted as an anatomical term.”
19th Century
English
cranial
“Relating to the cranium or skull.”
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