Definition

This term describes animals or people who have a head that is shorter and wider than average, typically measured by a specific index.

Example

The bulldog is a brachycephalic breed known for its distinctive short and broad head.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term brachycephalic?

Yeah, I think it refers to dogs with short heads, right?

Exactly! Breeds like bulldogs and pugs are considered brachycephalic.

That's interesting — I wonder how that affects their health.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Brachycephalic → It is formed from "brachy-" (from Greek "brachys", meaning short) and "cephalus" (from Greek "kephalē", meaning head). The word describes a type of skull that is short and broad, indicating a specific head shape.

Memory Tip

Think of 'brachy-' meaning short and 'cephalus' meaning head — this helps you remember that brachycephalic refers to a short-headed shape.

Visually Confused Words