syn
co
pe
Plural
syncopes
1
a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain
- The doctor diagnosed him with syncope after he collapsed during the workout.
- She experienced syncope after standing for too long in the heat.
- His sudden syncope startled everyone at the party.
- The nurse checked his vitals after he had a brief episode of syncope.
- The athlete was treated for syncope following the intense physical exertion.
2
(phonetics) the omission or loss of one or more sounds from the pronunciation of a word
Syncope is a phonological process in which one or more sounds, typically vowels, are omitted from within a word, often to simplify pronunciation or to fit into a particular rhythm. This process can occur in casual speech or as part of language evolution. For example, the word "probably" is often pronounced as "probly" in rapid speech, where the vowel sound is dropped. Syncope is significant in linguistics because it illustrates how words can change over time and how speakers may adapt their language for ease of communication, providing insights into sound patterns and linguistic efficiency.
Synonyms: