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prettygoodword.livejournal.com2017-09-28 08:05 am
Thursday word: acrocephalic
acrocephalic (ak-ruh-SEF-uh-lik) - adj., having a pointed head.
The more common synonym is oxycephalic, but that's not as vivid. While acrocephalism is a real medical condition (caused by premature closure of the skull sutures as an infant), it is also useful as a synonym to avoid constantly referring to pointy-headed intellectuals. From Greek roots akros, highest/on the extremity + kephalikos, pertaining to the head. (Note that oxycephalic is not coined from Greek roots but rather adopted directly from oxyképhalos, sharp-headed.)
Technically acrocephalic doesn't describe a pointy-haired boss -- but if you have one, he or she is unlikely to notice the solecism.
---L.
The more common synonym is oxycephalic, but that's not as vivid. While acrocephalism is a real medical condition (caused by premature closure of the skull sutures as an infant), it is also useful as a synonym to avoid constantly referring to pointy-headed intellectuals. From Greek roots akros, highest/on the extremity + kephalikos, pertaining to the head. (Note that oxycephalic is not coined from Greek roots but rather adopted directly from oxyképhalos, sharp-headed.)
Technically acrocephalic doesn't describe a pointy-haired boss -- but if you have one, he or she is unlikely to notice the solecism.
---L.