encephalo-

1. a combining form meaning “brain,” used in the formation of compound words.

   encephalograph.

encephalo-

combining form

1. indicating the brain

   encephalogram

   encephalitis

Word History and Origins

Origin of encephalo-¹

< Greek enképhalos. See encephalon

Word History and Origins

Origin of encephalo-¹

from New Latin, from Greek enkephalos, from en- in + kephalē head

Example Sentences

Encephalo is simply a Greek form meaning 'the brain.'

From Project Gutenberg

Bumpsterhausen's blue follicles would not stir an inch out of his encephalo digital region.

From Project Gutenberg

Bumpsterhausen’s blue follicles would not stir an inch out of his encephalo digital region.

From Project Gutenberg

When To Use

What does encephalo- mean?

Encephalo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “brain.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.Encephalo- comes from the Greek enképhalos, meaning “brain." Literally, enképhalos means "in (en-) the head (kephalē).” That is where you can find the brain, after all.What are variants of encephalo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, encephalo- becomes encephal-, as in encephaloma.