syncope

[ sing-kuh-pee, sin- ]

noun

1. Grammar. the contraction of a word by omitting one or more sounds from the middle, as in the reduction of never to ne'er.
2. Pathology. brief loss of consciousness associated with transient cerebral anemia, as in heart block, sudden lowering of the blood pressure, etc.; fainting.

syncope

/ ˈsɪŋkəpɪ; sɪŋˈkɒpɪk /

noun

1. pathol a technical word for a faint
2. the omission of one or more sounds or letters from the middle of a word

Derived Forms

• syncopic, adjective

Other Words From

• syn·cop·ic [sin-, kop, -ik], synco·pal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncope¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin syncopē, from Greek synkopḗ “a cutting short,” from syn- syn- + kopḗ “a cutting” (from kóptein “to cut”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncope¹

C16: from Late Latin syncopa, from Greek sunkopē a cutting off, from syn- + koptein to cut

Example Sentences

Nearly 40 percent of people experience syncope, or fainting spells, at least once in their lives.

From Science Daily

Interestingly, another meaning for syncope is to contract a word by omitting middle sounds or letters.

From Salon

There are four types of common heat illnesses that Lawrence says can range from minor to life-threatening, including heat syncope, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

From Seattle Times

It is when children hold their breath when upset until they experience syncope, or passing out.

From Fox News

The light that long ago had struck me into syncope, recalled in this vision, seemed glidingly to mount the wall, and tremblingly to pause in the centre of the obscured ceiling.

From Literature