acephalous

Meaning

Adjective

• Having no head.
• Without a distinct head.
• Having the style spring from the base, instead of from the apex, as is the case in certain ovaries
• Without a leader or chief.
• Deficient in the beginning, as a line of poetry that is missing its expected opening syllable.
• (of a manuscript) Lacking the first portion of the text.
• Without a beginning.

Origin

• From French acéphale, from Ancient Greek ἀκέφαλος ("headless"), from ἀ- + κεφαλή. Synchronically, a- + -cephalous.