syn·co·pe (s ng k -p , sn-)n. 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. [Middle English sincopis, from sincopene, from Late Latin syncop n, accusative of syncop, from Greek sunkop, from sunkoptein, to cut short : sun-, syn- + koptein, to strike.]syn co·pal (sngk-pl, sn-), syn·copic (sn-k pk) adj. |
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