n.
Pronunciation: ' sis-t ə -( ˌ )l ē
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek systol ē , from systellein to contract, from syn- + stellein to send
Date: 1578
: a rhythmically recurrent contraction especially : the contraction of the heart by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up
– sys · tol · ic \ sis- ' tä-lik \ adjective