Syncope, n.
Etymology: [L. syncope, syncopa, Gr.
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 more senses
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for syncope; he lists it under stupor.
Where he writes about it:
Syncope or swooning is a sudden loss of sensation and of power of motion, with suspension of pulse and of respiration, and is due to failure of heart-action, as from sudden nervous shock or intense mental emotion. — from stupor
Asphyxia is a special form of syncope resulting from partial or total suspension of respiration, as in strangulation, drowning, or inhalation of noxious gases. — from stupor
Synonyms
Antonyms
none given