/sin"aps, si naps"/ , n. , v. , synapsed, synapsing . Physiol.
n.
1. a region where nerve impulses are transmitted and received, encompassing the axon terminal of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters in response to an impulse, an extremely small gap across which the neurotransmitters travel, and the adjacent membrane of an axon, dendrite, or muscle or gland cell with the appropriate receptor molecules for picking up the neurotransmitters.
v.i.
2. Cell Biol.; Physiol. to form a synapse or a synapsis.
[ 1895-1900; back formation from synapses, pl. of SYNAPSIS ]