Acephalous means "headless," whether literally or metaphorically, or "leaderless." The word is used literally in biology; and metaphorically in prosody or grammar for a verse or sentence with a beginning wanting. In zoology, the mollusca are divided into cephalous and acephalous (Acephala), according as they have or have not an organized part of their anatomy as the seat of the brain and special senses. The Acephala, or Lamellibranchiata, are commonly known as bivalve shell-fish. In botany the word is used for ovaries not terminating in a stigma. "Acephalocyst" is the name given by R.-Th.-H. Laënnec to the hydatid, immature or larval tapeworm.

See also : Acephali

(from an old encyclopedia)