syncope

[sing-kuh-pee, sin-] /ˈsɪŋ kəˌpi, ˈsɪn-/
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.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin syncopē < Greek synkopḗ a cutting short, equivalent to syn- syn- + kop- (stem of kóptein to cut) + -ē feminine noun suffix
Related forms
syncopic
[sin-kop-ik] /sɪnˈkɒp ɪk/ (Show IPA), syncopal, adjective
Examples from the web for syncope
  • One thought that these spells might be seizures rather than syncope.
  • Bush's heartbeat and lowered his blood pressure, making him faint, a reaction that is called vaso-vagal syncope.
  • There was no disease, but if there had been medical attendance, he might have survived the syncope or fainting.
  • In contrast to vertigo, syncope is caused by too little oxygen reaching the brain.
British Dictionary definitions for syncope

syncope

/ˈsɪŋkəpɪ/
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 (sɪŋˈkɒpɪk), syncopal, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin syncopa, from Greek sunkopē a cutting off, from syn- + koptein to cut
Word Origin and History for syncope
n.

c.1400, from Late Latin syncopen "contraction of a word," accusative of syncope, from Greek synkope, "contraction of a word," originally "a cutting off," from synkoptein "to cut up," from syn- "together, thoroughly" (see syn-) + koptein "to cut," from PIE root *kop- "to beat, strike" (see hatchet). In pathology, "failure of the heart's action," hence "unconsciousness."

syncope in Medicine

syncope syn·co·pe (sĭng'kə-pē, sĭn'-)
n.
A brief loss of consciousness caused by a sudden fall of blood pressure or failure of the cardiac systole, resulting in cerebral anemia.