brain death noun

The cessation of function of the brain, thought by some doctors to be the true indication of death, rather than the cessation of the heartbeat (also called cerebral or clinical death)

brain drain noun

The continuing loss of citizens of high intelligence and creativity through emigration

brain fag noun (obsolete)

Extreme tiredness of the nerves or brain

brain fever noun

Encephalitis, inflammation of the brain

brain-fever bird noun

An Indian cuckoo (Cuculus varius) that sings repetitively in the night

brainˈpan noun

The cranium

brainˈpower noun

Intellectual ability

brainˈsick adjective

Diseased in the understanding, deranged

brainˈsickly adverb (Shakespeare).

brainˈsickness noun

brainˈstem noun

The stem-like part of the brain connecting the spinal cord with the cerebral hemispheres, and controlling certain major functions, eg the operation of the heart and lungs and the ability to be conscious

brainˈstorm noun (informal)

1. A sudden disturbance of the mind
2. A sudden inspiration

brainˈstorming noun (orig US)

The practice of thrashing out a problem, developing a strategy, etc by intensive group discussion in which ideas are put forward in an extempore manner

brains trust noun

1. A committee of experts
2. A number of reputedly well-informed persons chosen to answer questions of general interest in public and without preparation, usu on radio or television

brainˈteaser noun (informal)

A difficult puzzle or problem

brainˈwash transitive verb

To subject (a person) to systematic indoctrination or mental pressure to make him or her change his or her views or confess to a crime, etc

brainˈwashing noun

brainˈwave noun

1. An electrical impulse produced by the brain
2. A sudden bright idea (informal)

on the brain (informal)

As an obsession

pick someone's brains see under pick¹

cerebrum /serˈi-brəm or sə-rēˈbrəm/

noun (pl cerˈebrums or cerˈebra)

1. The front and larger part of the brain
2. Loosely, the whole brain

cerˈebral (also /sə-rēˈbrəl/) adjective

1. Relating to the brain or the cerebrum
2. Intellectual, as opposed to practical
3. Of consonant sounds, produced by inverting the tip of the tongue on the palate (phonetics)

cerˈebralism noun

The theory that all mental operations originate in the brain

cerˈebralist noun

cerˈebrally adverb

cerˈebrate intransitive verb

To think, to use the brain

cerebrāˈtion noun

Action of the brain, esp unconscious

cerˈebric (or /sər-ebˈrik/) adjective

Cerebral

cerebˈriform adjective

Brain-shaped

cerebrīˈtis noun

Inflammation of the cerebrum

cerˈebroside noun

Any of various lipids found in nerve tissue

cerebrōspīnˈal adjective

Relating to the brain and spinal cord together

cerebrotonia /-tōˈni-ə/ noun

(L tonus tone) the temperament associated with ectomorphic body type characterized by introversion and hypersensitivity

cerebrōtonˈic adjective

cerˈebrōvasˈcūlar adjective

Relating to the cerebrum and its blood vessels

cerebral cortex noun

The outer layers of the cerebral hemispheres associated with higher function of the nervous system

cerebral death see brain death under brain

cerebral dominance noun

The tendency of one side of the brain to dominate certain functions, eg the left side of the cerebrum produces right-handedness in the majority of people

cerebral haemorrhage noun

Haemorrhage of a blood vessel or blood vessels in the brain, esp the rupture of an artery

cerebral hemisphere noun

One of the two lateral halves of the cerebrum

cerebral palsy noun

A form of congenital paralysis marked by lack of muscular co-ordination, etc

cerebrospinal fever noun

Meningitis

cerebrospinal fluid noun

The clear colourless fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and ventricles in the brain

cerebrovascular accident noun

A sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain, as in a cerebral haemorrhage