decerebrate

(dē serə brāt′)

adjective

of or having to do with an animal or person lacking cerebral functions, as in consequence of an experiment or an illness

noun

a decerebrate animal or person

transitive verb decerebrated, decerebrating

to eliminate cerebral functions of (an animal), as by surgical removal of the cerebrum or by severing the brain stem

Related Forms:

See decerebrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb de·cer·e·brat·ed, de·cer·e·brat·ing, de·cer·e·brates
To eliminate cerebral brain function in (an animal) by removing the cerebrum, cutting across the brain stem, or severing certain arteries in the brain stem, as for purposes of experimentation.
adjective also (-brĭt)
  1. Deprived of cerebral function, as by having the cerebrum removed.
  2. Resulting from or as if from decerebration: decerebrate rigidity; decerebrate movements.
  3. Lacking intelligence or reason.
noun also (-brĭt)
A decerebrate animal or person.

Related Forms:

  • de·cerˌe·braˈtion noun

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