Syn"co*pe (?), n. [L. syncope, syncopa, Gr. a cutting up, a syncope; akin to to beat together, to cut up, cut short, weavy; with + to strike, cut.]
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.