syncopate

[ sing-kuh-peyt, sin- ]

verb (used with object)

, syn·co·pat·ed, syn·co·pat·ing.

1. Music.
   1. to place (the accents) on beats that are normally unaccented.
   2. to treat (a passage, piece, etc.) in this way.
2. Grammar. to contract (a word) by omitting one or more sounds from the middle, as in reducing Gloucester to Gloster.

syncopate

/ ˈsɪŋkəˌpeɪt /

verb

1. music to modify or treat (a beat, rhythm, note, etc) by syncopation
2. to shorten (a word) by omitting sounds or letters from the middle

Derived Forms

• ˈsyncoˌpator, noun

Other Words From

• synco·pator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncopate¹

First recorded in 1600–10; Medieval Latin syncopātus (past participle of syncopāre “to shorten by syncope”); syncope, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncopate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin syncopāre to omit a letter or syllable, from Late Latin syncopa syncope

Example Sentences

Syncopate a crown of a person of rank, and leave a musical instrument.

From Project Gutenberg

Syncopate a small house, and leave a fugitive named in the Bible.

From Project Gutenberg

Syncopate another part of the body, and leave a wild animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Syncopate a short, ludicrous play, and leave a part of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Syncopate a domestic animal, and leave articles of clothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abbreviate
• constrict
• cram
• restrict
• shorten
• shrink
• squeeze
• wrap