More fully cell of the brain. Any of the (imaginary) cavities or compartments in the brain thought to be the seats of particular mental faculties…

An (imaginary) cavity or compartment in the brain: = cell, n.1 7a. Obsolete.

In extended use: the brain, or a central part of it, considered as the meeting place of major nerves or nervous sensations. Cf. sensorium, n. 1a. Now…

In phrenology: a superficial region of the brain or a bump on the cranium held to be the site of a particular mental faculty or tendency. Now histo…

a region of the brain associated with a particular function; also figurative; cf. nerve centre n. at nerve, n. compounds 2.