Encephalon
/ɛnˈsɛf.ə.lɒn/noun
The brain, especially when referred to as the part of the central nervous system within the skull.
Did you know?Encephalon comes from Greek anatomical language, where en- means “in” and kephalē means “head,” and that same root shows up in words like “cephalopod” and “bicep.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
enkephalos
“the brain; literally “in the head””
Late Latin
Latin
encephalon
“the brain”
Middle English / Early Modern English
English
encephalon
“the brain, especially in technical or medical usage”
Modern English
English
encephalon
“the brain”
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