/si stawl"tik, -stal"-/ , adj. Physiol.
1. rhythmically contracting.
2. of the nature of contraction.
3. characterized by alternate contraction and dilation, as the action of the heart.
[ 1670-80; systalticus systaltikós, equiv. to systalt ( ós ) contracted, verbid of systéllein to put together ( sy- SY- + stal-, var. s. of stéllein to place + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -IC ]