n.
Pronunciation: ˌ an-( ˌ )en- ' se-f ə -l ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -lies
Etymology: 2 a- + encephal- + 2 -y
Date: circa 1889
: congenital absence of all or a major part of the brain
– an · en · ce · phal · ic \ - ˌ en(t)-s ə - ' fa-lik \ adjective