ˈsistə(ˌ)lē, -_li noun
( -s )
Etymology: Greek systolē, literally, contraction, from systellein to contract, from syn- + stellein to set up, place, send — more at stall
1. : the shortening in verse of a syllable naturally or by position long (as for metrical convenience) — opposed to ectasis, diastole
2.
[New Latin, from Greek systolē ]
: a rhythmically recurrent contraction: as
a. : the contraction of the heart by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up
b. : the contraction of a rhythmically pulsating contractile vacuole
• sys·tol·ic sə̇ˈstälik, -lēk adjective