1.(phonology) the loss of sounds from within a word (as in 'fo'c'sle' for 'forecastle') • Syn: syncope • Derivationally related forms: syncopate, syncopate (for: syncope) • Topics: phonology, phonemics • Hypernyms: articulation 2. a musical rhythm accenting a normally weak beat • Derivationally related forms: syncopate • Hypernyms: rhythm, beat, musical rhythm 3. music (especially dance music) that has a syncopated rhythm • Derivationally related forms: syncopate • Topics: music • Hypernyms: music