bighead

[ big-hed, -hed ]

noun

1. Informal. an excessive estimate of one's importance; conceit.
2. Veterinary Pathology.
   1. an inflammatory swelling of the tissues of the head heads of sheep, caused by the anaerobic bacillus Clostridium novyi.
   2. enlargement of the head heads and jawbones of horses resulting from nutritional hyperthyroidism.

bighead

/ ˈbɪɡˌhɛd /

noun

1. informal.
   a conceited person
2. informal.
   conceit; egotism
3. vet science
   1. an abnormal bulging or increase in the size of an animal's skull, as from osteomalacia
   2. any of various diseases of sheep characterized by swelling of the head, esp any caused by infection with Clostridium bacteria

Derived Forms

• ˌbigˈheadedness, noun
• ˌbigˈheadedly, adverb
• ˌbigˈheaded, adjective

Other Words From

• bigheaded adjective
• bigheaded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bighead¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; big ¹ + head

Example Sentences

Carp are voracious eaters — adult bigheads and silvers can consume up to 40% of their body weight in a day — and easily out-compete native species, wreaking havoc on aquatic ecosystems.

From Seattle Times

Four different species are considered invasive carp: bighead, black, grass and silver.

From Seattle Times

There are four types of invasive carp: bighead, silver, grass, and black.

From Salon

It’s an abbreviated wordplay on “copious” — a reference to the booming populations of bighead, silver, grass and black carp in the U.S. heartland.

From Seattle Times

The four species described collectively as Asian carp — bighead, silver, grass and black carp — were brought from China a half-century ago to rid Southern sewage and aquaculture ponds of algae, weeds and parasites.

From Seattle Times