/ ˈkreɪniəm; NAmE / noun
( pl. cra·ni·ums or cra·nia / ˈkreɪniə; NAmE /) ( anatomy ) the bone structure that forms the head and surrounds and protects the brain
SYN skull —picture at skeleton
► cra·nial / ˈkreɪniəl; NAmE / adjective [ only before noun ]:
cranial nerves / injuries
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via medieval Latin from Greek kranion skull.