syncope

The definition of a syncope is a word pronounced without a sound in the middle, or a fainting caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain.

(noun)

  1. An example of a syncope is pronouncing cannot as can't.
  2. An example of a syncope is passing out from holding your breath too long.

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See syncope in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the dropping of sounds or letters from the middle of a word, as in (gläsʹtər) for Gloucester
  2. a fainting, or loss of consciousness, caused by a temporary deficiency of blood supply to the brain

Origin: LL < Gr synkopē < syn-, together + koptein, to cut < IE base *(s)kep- > capon

Related Forms:

See syncope in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Grammar The shortening of a word by omission of a sound, letter, or syllable from the middle of the word; for example, bos'n for boatswain.
  2. Pathology A brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary deficiency of oxygen in the brain; a swoon. See Synonyms at blackout.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sincopis

Origin: , from sincopene

Origin: , from Late Latin syncopēn

Origin: , accusative of syncopē

Origin: , from Greek sunkopē

Origin: , from sunkoptein, to cut short

Origin: : sun-, syn-

Origin: + koptein, to strike

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Related Forms:

  • synˈco·pal (sĭngˈkə-pəl, sĭnˈ-), syn·copˈic (sĭn-kŏpˈĭk) adjective

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