noun
occiput
OK-sih-put
Occiput (noun) means the back part of the head or skull. Example: “The doctor felt a small bump on the patient's occiput.”
noun
1
formal The back part of the head or skull.
"The doctor felt a small bump on the patient's occiput."
"A newborn's occiput can be slightly flattened from lying on its back."
"The helmet was padded to protect the occiput in a fall."
How to use occiput
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe back of the head.
When to use it
It is a formal anatomical term rather than everyday speech.
Memory tip
Pair it with its opposite, sinciput, to remember it marks the back rather than the front of the head.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
flattened occiput
base of the occiput
occiput of the skull
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Fill the gap
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The doctor felt a small bump on the patient's _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin occiput, which meant the back part of the head.
Antonyms
sinciput
Frequently asked questions
What does occiput mean?
It refers to the back part of the head or skull.
Is occiput a medical term?
Yes, it is chiefly used in anatomy to describe the rear of the skull.
What is the opposite of occiput?
Sinciput, referring to the front part of the head, is given as its antonym.
What is the meaning of occiput?
"occiput" (noun) means the back part of the head or skull.
