from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Syncopate \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."
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]