Cerebral
suh-REE-brul
/səˈriːbrəl/
Relating to the cerebrum of the brain or the intellect.
Can refer to the physical brain region (cerebrum) or, more broadly, to intellectual or analytical thought.
The story behind the word. The word 'cerebral' comes from the Latin 'cerebrum,' meaning 'brain.' This root has been used in English since the 17th century to refer to the brain itself. By the 19th century, 'cerebral' also gained the extended meaning of 'intellectual' or 'pertaining to the intellect,' reflecting the brain's role as the seat of thought.
Word relationships
- intellectual: When referring to thought, 'intellectual' is a direct synonym, but 'cerebral' can also refer to the physical brain.
- brainy: More informal than 'cerebral' when describing intelligence.
- emotional: Opposite when 'cerebral' refers to intellect over feeling.
- physical: Opposite when 'cerebral' refers to mental activity over bodily action.
Word family
- cerebrum (noun): The principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, left and right.
Collocations
- cerebral cortex
- cerebral palsy
- cerebral activity
- cerebral hemorrhage
Example sentences
- "The patient suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, affecting the left side of his brain." Medical diagnosis
- "His latest novel is a highly cerebral work, demanding deep thought and analysis from its readers." Art criticism
Memory hook
CEREBRAL sounds like 'celebrate' the brain – it's all about the brain and intellect. Celebrate the brain
When not to use
Avoid using 'cerebral' to describe something purely emotional or physical without intellectual involvement.
Fun facts
- The cerebrum is the largest part of the human brain, making up about two-thirds of its total mass.
- The term 'cerebral palsy' refers to a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture, caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain.
Related words
Explore more words
intellectual, cognitive, neural, analytical, visceral, perceptual
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