syncope

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.

A brief loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain.

The contraction of a word by elision; an elision or retrenchment of one or more letters or a syllable from the middle of a word, as in ne’er for never. See also syncopation, syncopate. Compare apocope.

In medicine, loss of consciousness from fall of blood-pressure and consequent cerebral anemia; fainting. It may be induced by cardiac weakness or inhibition, hemorrhage, or probably visceral vasomotor relaxation.

A sudden pause or cessation; a suspension; temporary stop or inability to go on.

In music: Same as syncopation.

The combination of two voice-parts so that two or more tones in one coincide with a single tone in the other; simple figuration.

In ancient prosody, omission, or apparent omission, of an arsis in the interior of a line.

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.

Same as Syncopation.