headless
adj.adj. having no head, or acting without thinking clearly. In technology, it describes a computer or software that works without a screen or visual interface.
adj. lacking a head; metaphorically, lacking leadership or rational control. In a computing context, refers to a system or software application designed to operate without a graphical user interface or attached monitor.
The headless statue stood in the center of the park.
The IT department set up a headless server in the basement that we manage entirely through remote commands.
The organization became effectively headless after the sudden resignation of the board, leaving middle management to navigate the crisis without any clear strategic direction.
From Middle English heedles, hevedles, from Old English hēafodlēas (“headless”), equivalent to head + -less. Cognate with Dutch hoofdloos (“headless”), Danish hovedløs (“headless”), Swedish huvudlös (“headless”), Icelandic höfuðlaus (“headless”). Piecewise doublet of chefless and chiefless.
Often used in technical contexts to describe hardware or software; in general use, it frequently appears in the idiom 'running around like a headless chicken'.