Acephalian
/ˌeɪsɪˈfeɪlɪən/ /ˌeɪkɛˈfeɪlɪən/Church History
noun
A member of a group of extreme Monophysites who seceded from the main body in the 5th cent., acknowledging no leaders and rejecting episcopal control.
adjective
Of or belonging to the Acephalians. Now rare.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Cartwright (d. 1603), theologian and religious controversialist. From post-classical Latin acephali acephali + -an. Compare Middle French (rare) acephalien, noun.