1690s, from Modern Latin systolicus, from systole (see systole).
systole (sĭs'tə-lē) The period during the normal beating of the heart in which the chambers of the heart, especially the ventricles, contract to force blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Compare diastole. systolic adjective (sĭ-stŏl'ĭk) |