Syncopal

syn·co·pe  (sngk-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 syncopn, accusative of syncop, from Greek sunkop, from sunkoptein, to cut short : sun-, syn- + koptein, to strike.]

---

synco·pal (sngk-pl, sn-), syn·copic (sn-kpk) adj.