syncope Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain
    swoon; faint; deliquium.
  2. noun (phonology) the loss of sounds from within a word (as in `fo'c'sle' for `forecastle')
    syncopation.

WordNet

Syn"co*pe noun
Etymology
L. syncope, syncopa, Gr. a cutting up, a syncope; akin to to beat together, to cut up, cut short, weavy; with + to strike, cut.
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) An elision or retrenchment of one or more letters or syllables from the middle of a word; as, ne'er for never, ev'ry for every.
  2. (Mus.) Same as Syncopation.
  3. (Med.) A fainting, or swooning. See Fainting.
  4. A pause or cessation; suspension. R.
    Revely, and dance, and show, Suffer a syncope and solemn pause. Cowper.

Webster 1913