flathead

 
Pronunciation: /ˈflathɛd/

noun

  • 1an edible tropical marine fish that has a pointed flattened head with the eyes positioned on the top, typically burrowing in the seabed with just the eyes showing.
    • Family Platycephalidae: several genera and species
  • 2 (Flathead) a member of certain North American Indian peoples such as the Chinook, Choctaw, and Salish, named from their supposed practice of flattening their children’s heads artificially.
  • 3 [as modifier] US (of an engine) having the valves and spark plugs in the cylinder block rather than the cylinder head, which is essentially a flat plate.
  • (of a vehicle) having a flathead engine.
  • 4 [as modifier] US (of a screw) countersunk.