brachycephaly

9.9

A short, broad head shape often seen in some dogs, cats, or babies

noun
/ˌbrækɪˈsɛfəli/

Specialized

: braquicefalia

Some breeds of dogs are more likely to be affected by brachycephaly due to their genetic traits.

Examples

Bred for such extreme brachycephaly, it has issues both in breathing and cooling itself.
Of course, it wasn't long before they figured out how to breed for extreme brachycephaly in bulldogs, and by then, it was too late.

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Bred for such extreme brachycephaly, it has issues both in breathing and cooling itself.

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The baby was diagnosed with brachycephaly after a pediatrician noted the shape of his head.

Synonyms

brachycephalism

vsbrachycephaly

Specialized

9.9

A head shape that is short and broad

is the standard term defined by a cephalic index above eighty

Antonyms

dolichocephaly

Specialized

9.9

A head that is longer and narrower than usual

How Broad

brachycephaly

Specialized

9.9

dolichocephaly

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

brachycephaly singular

brachycephalies plural

Morphology

brachycephaly = brachy + cephal + y

The term is a technical medical compound built from Greek combining forms ('brachy-' short + 'cephal-' head) that an average B1 learner will not recognize as productive English morphemes, so the meaning is not transparently derivable.

Etymology

The word brachycephaly comes from two Greek parts: brachy- meaning 'short' and -cephaly meaning 'head'. So it literally means 'short head' and describes a skull that is short and wide.