\Syn"co*pate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Syncopated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Syncopating}.] [LL. syncopatus, p. p. of
syncopare to syncopate, to swoon. See {Syncope}.]
1. (Gram.) To contract, as a word, by taking one or more
   letters or syllables from the middle; as, ``Gloster'' is a
   syncopated form of ``Gloucester.''
2. (Mus.) To commence, as a tone, on an unaccented part of a
   measure, and continue it into the following accented part,
   so that the accent is driven back upon the weak part and
   the rhythm drags.