noun
syncope
SING-kuh-pee/ˈsɪŋkəpi/
Brief loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
The adult experiencing syncope lies safely on the sofa while a companion raises the adult's legs.
Etymology
The cutting root, with syn- perhaps meaning “thoroughly,” gives the image of a sudden “cutting off.” In the medical sense, what is cut off is consciousness: the word names a fainting episode.
In context
what they need is an ekg to figure out what caused the syncope
More examples
- She reports two episodes of syncope after standing up quickly.
- His syncope lasts only a few seconds.
- The nurse checks her blood pressure after an episode of syncope.
Forms
syncope · syncopes
syncopal adjective — Relating to a brief fainting episode.
Similar words
- fainting
- The everyday term for the same brief loss of consciousness.
- blackout
- Broader term that can also describe memory loss without fainting.