c. 1600, "shorten words by omitting syllables or letters in the middle," back-formation from syncopation, or else from Late Latin syncopatus, past participle of syncopare "to shorten," also "to faint away, to swoon," from Late Latin syncope (see syncope). Musical sense is from 1660s. Related: Syncopated; syncopating.
syncopate a word
synchronize
synchronous
synchrony
synclinal
syncline
syncopate
syncopation
syncope
syncretism
syncretize
syncytial