Etymology
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encephalo-

before vowels encephal-, word-forming element meaning "brain, of the brain," from combining form of medical Latin encephalon, from Greek enkephalos "the brain," literally "within the head," from en "in" (see en- (2)) + kephalē "head" (see cephalo-).

Entries linking to encephalo-

en- (2)

word-forming element meaning "near, at, in, on, within," from Greek en "in," cognate with Latin in (from PIE root *en "in"), and thus with en- (1). Typically assimilated to em- before -p-, -b-, -m-, -l-, and -r-.

cephalo- 

before vowels, cephal-, word-forming element meaning "head, skull, brain," Modern Latin combining form of Greek kephalē "head, uppermost or top part, source," from PIE *ghebh-el- (source also of Tocharian spal "head;" Old High German gebal "skull;" also, via the notion of "front," Gothic gibla, Old Norse gafl "side of a facade").

encephalitis (n.)

"inflammation of the brain," 1843, from encephalo- "the brain" + -itis "inflammation." Related: Encephalitic.

updated on November 17, 2018

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Dictionary entries near encephalo-

encase

encaustic

-ence

enceinte

encephalitis

encephalo-

enchain

enchant

enchanted

enchanter

enchanting

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