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Glite Dictionary
breadth index

breadth index

9.9
The skull's widest measurement as a percent of its longest measurement
  • noun
  • /brɛdθ ˈɪndɛks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : índice de amplitud
  • The breadth index is an important measurement in anthropological classification of skull shapes.

Examples

  • A scientist calculated the breadth index to compare the cranial features of different populations.

  • The breadth index of the skull is crucial for anthropological studies.

  • Changes in the breadth index may reflect evolutionary adaptations over time.

  • Can you calculate the breadth index for this sample?

  • A scientist calculated the breadth index to compare the cranial features of different populations.

  • The breadth index is an important measurement in anthropological classification of skull shapes.

  • Changes in the breadth index may reflect evolutionary adaptations over time.

Synonyms

cephalic index
vsbreadth index
  • Specialized
9.1

The percent of a skull's width compared with its length used to describe skull shape

is the same ratio but used generally outside specific scientific fields
cranial index
vsbreadth index
  • Specialized
9.9

The percent of a skull's maximum width compared with its maximum length

is the same ratio but stated in a more general nontechnical way

Surface Forms

breadth index singular
breadth indices plural

Morphology

breadth + index

The noun combination clearly signals a numeric measure related to width because 'breadth' means side-to-side measurement and 'index' denotes a numeric indicator, so learners will expect a measure involving breadth. However, the exact formula (percentage ratio of maximum width to maximum length of a skull) and its anatomical application are domain-specific and not fully predictable from the parts alone, so it is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Breadth index comes from measuring: breadth means the skull's widest part ('width') and index means a number that shows a comparison. Scientists measure the skull's widest and longest parts, turn that result into a percent, and use the number to 'compare' skull shapes.