Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • A term introduced by Cuvier into systematic zoölogy, and applied by him as a class name to a combination of the conchiferous lamellibranchiate mollusks and the tunicates.
  • Same as Acrania.
  • In Latreille's system of classification (1795), one of seven orders of the Linnean Aptera, containing the spiders, etc., corresponding to the Arachnides palpistes of Lamarck, and synonymous with Arachnida.
  • In Haeckel's classification, a group of Mollusca composed of the Spirobranchia, or Brachiopoda, and the Lamellibranchia.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun plural (Zoöl.) That division of the Mollusca which includes the bivalve shells, like the clams and oysters; -- so called because they have no evident head. Formerly the group included the Tunicata, Brachiopoda, and sometimes the Bryozoa. See mollusca.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Loose-leaf collards are one of the oldest types of cultivated cabbage; the variety "acephala" literally means "headless" in Latin.

    thecookscottage 2008

  • Brassica oleracea var. acephala kale leaves, stems

    Chapter 9 1993

  • Under Lindley's first class, common or Scotch kale or borecole (_Brassica oleracea_ var. _acephala_ or var. _fimbriata_) includes several varieties which are amongst the hardiest of our esculents, and seldom fail to yield a good supply of winter greens.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" Various

  • The scientific name is Borecole oleracea acephala, and of it there are many varieties, both as regards the form and colour of the leaves, as well as the height which the plants attain.

    The Book of Household Management Isabella Mary 1861

  • The scientific name is Borecole oleracea acephala, and of it there are many varieties, both as regards the form and colour of the leaves, as well as the height which the plants attain.

    The Book of Household Management Isabella Mary 1861

  • I wasn't sure what it was so I looked it up - "Kale: An edible plant (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in the mustard family, having spreading crinkled leaves that do not form a compact head." - and it tastes just as good as it sounds.

    Vail Daily - Top Stories 2010

  • Vivaldi Aviary aviculturist, says shows "the extremely rare headless variation of the PR parrot, Amazona vittata var. acephala. [which was first reported] in the early 19th Century by the Spanish Naturalist-Explorer Vebo de la Cerveza …".

    10,000 Birds 2009

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