The word "chamecephalous" refers to an animal with a flat head, such as a tortoise or turtle. It is spelled as /kæməˈsefələs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "ch" sound is represented by "k", the short "a" sound is represented by "æ", the "m" and "p" sounds are straightforward, and the "e" sounds are represented by schwa "/ə/". The "c" is silent and the final "ous" ending means "having the quality of". Overall, the word is a mouthful, but provides a precise description of a particular type of animal.
Chamecephalous is an adjective that describes a particular characteristic or formation found in certain plants, specifically related to the arrangement of their flowers. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words, "chamai" meaning low or on the ground, and "kephalē" meaning head.
The term chamecephalous refers to plants that have their flowers arranged close to the ground or near the base of the stem. Instead of having elongated stems with flowers positioned at the top, chamecephalous plants have flowers emerging directly from the root or at a very low height, giving the appearance of them being located at ground level.
This botanical characteristic is often observed in alpine or arctic plant species that inhabit harsh environments with adverse climate conditions. By keeping the flowers close to the ground, these plants can protect them from strong winds, low temperatures, or other environmental stressors. The chamecephalous arrangement also allows for efficient pollination, as the low-lying flowers are more accessible to ground-dwelling insects like ants or beetles.
Overall, chamecephalous is a term used in botany to describe the unique growth habit of certain plants with flowers positioned near the base of the stem, providing protection and ensuring successful pollination in challenging environments.
Chamecephalic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.