acrocephalic

[prettygoodword]

acrocephalic (ak-ruh-SEF-uh-lik) - adj., having a pointed head.


Also more commonly called oxycephalic. Although a real medical condition (caused by premature closure of the skull sutures), it is also useful a useful synonym to avoid constantly referring to pointy-headed intellectuals. From Grrek roots akros, highest, on the extremity + kephalikos, pertaining to the head. (Oxycephalic is not coined from Greek roots but rather adopted from the Greek word oxyképhalos, sharp-headed.)

---L.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I would have thought acrocephalic would have meant having a high head, like acrophobia means fear of high places?

Somehow pointy and high are related?

I am forever going to talk in questions? Yes?

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Akros more precisely refers to being at the extremity, which tends to mean at the high point -- as in acropolis, the (citadel on the) high point of the city. Oxycephalic is probably a more accurate word, but acrocephalic is better for other reasons.

---L.