GC: n
S: NHS – https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/syncope (last access: 24 June 2023); Yale – https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/syncope (last access: 24 June 2023).
N: 1. 1520s, “contraction of a word by omission of middle sounds or letters,” from Latin syncope “contraction of a word by elision,” from Greek synkope “contraction of a word,” originally “a cutting off, cutting up, cutting short,” from synkoptein “to cut up,” from syn– “together, thoroughly” (see syn-) + koptein “to cut,” which is perhaps from PIE root *kop- “to beat, strike, smite” (see hatchet (n.)).
An earlier use of the word in pathology is represented by Middle English syncopis, sincopin “loss of consciousness accompanied by weak pulse” (c. 1400, from Late Latin accusative syncopen); compare Old French syncope “illness, fainting fit” (“failure of the heart’s action,” hence “unconsciousness”). The spelling of this was re-Latinized 16c. Related: Syncopic; syncoptic.
2. syncope, effect of temporary impairment of blood circulation to a part of the body. The term is most often used as a synonym for fainting, which is caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain as a result of a fall in blood pressure.
Fainting tends to be preceded first by paleness, nausea, and sweating and then by dilatation of the pupils, yawning, deeper and more rapid breathing, and a rapid heartbeat. The faint usually lasts from a fraction of a minute to several minutes and may be followed by headache, confusion, nervousness, and a feeling of weakness. It is usually prompted by fear, anxiety, or pain.
3. A transient loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.
4. The term “syncope” was recommended by the Medical Signs and Symptoms Committee.
5. Lipothymia as a noun (pathology): A swoon due to transient cerebral hypoperfusion.
Syncope as a noun (pathology): A loss of consciousness when someone faints, a swoon.
Syncope as a noun (prosody, phonology): The loss or elision of a sound from the interior of a word, for example by changing to , to , or the pronunciation of the ending in placenames as (for example, Leicester).
Syncope as a noun (music): A missed beat or off-beat stress in music resulting in syncopation.
6. Vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. It may also be called neurocardiogenic syncope.
The vasovagal syncope trigger causes your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. That leads to reduced blood flow to your brain, causing you to briefly lose consciousness.
Vasovagal syncope is usually harmless and requires no treatment. But it’s possible that you may injure yourself during a vasovagal syncope episode. Doctors may recommend tests to rule out more-serious causes of fainting, such as heart disorders.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=syncope&ref=searchbar_searchhint (last access: 24 June 2023). 2. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/syncope (last access: 24 June 2023). 3 & 4. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=syncope&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 24 June 2023). 5. Diffsense – https://diffsense.com/diff/lipothymia/syncope (last access: 24 June 2023). 6. MAYO – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasovagal-syncope/symptoms-causes/syc-20350527 (last access: 24 June 2023).
SYN:
S:
CR: faintness, lipothymia, malaise.
