syn|co|pat|ed /s I ŋkəpe I t I d/ ADJ In syncopated music, the weak beats in the bar are stressed instead of the strong beats. □ Some spirituals are based on syncopated rhythms.
syn|co|pa|tion /s I ŋkəpe I ʃ ə n/ (syncopations ) N‑VAR Syncopation is the quality that music has when the weak beats in a bar are stressed instead of the strong ones.
syn|di|cate (syndicates , syndicating , syndicated ) The noun is pronounced /s I nd I kət/. The verb is pronounced /s I nd I ke I t/. 1 N‑COUNT A syndicate is an association of people or organizations that is formed for business purposes or in order to carry out a project. □ …a syndicate of 152 banks. □ …a major crime syndicate.
2 VERB [usu passive] When newspaper articles or television programmes are syndicated , they are sold to several different newspapers or television stations, who then publish the articles or broadcast the programmes. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Today his programme is syndicated to 500 stations. [Also be V -ed] ● syn|di|ca|tion /s I nd I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The show was ready for syndication in early 1987.
3 N‑COUNT A press syndicate is a group of newspapers or magazines that are all owned by the same person or company.
syn|drome /s I ndroʊm/ (syndromes )
1 N‑COUNT A syndrome is a medical condition that is characterized by a particular group of signs and symptoms. □ Irritable bowel syndrome seems to affect more women than men.
2 → see also Down's syndrome , premenstrual syndrome
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to an undesirable condition that is characterized by a particular type of activity or behaviour as a syndrome . □ Avoid sweep-it-under-the-carpet syndrome where you ignore problems.
syn|er|gy /s I nə r dʒi/ (synergies ) N‑VAR If there is synergy between two or more organizations or groups, they are more successful when they work together than when they work separately. [BUSINESS ] □ Of course, there's quite obviously a lot of synergy between the two companies. □ The synergies gained from the merger, Pirelli claimed, would create savings of about £130m over four years.
syn|od /s I nɒd/ (synods ) N‑COUNT A synod is a special council of members of a Church, which meets regularly to discuss religious issues.
syno|nym /s I nən I m/ (synonyms ) N‑COUNT A synonym is a word or expression which means the same as another word or expression. □ [+ for ] The term 'industrial democracy' is often used as a synonym for worker participation.
syn|ony|mous /s I nɒ n I məs/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that one thing is synonymous with another, you mean that the two things are very closely associated with each other so that one suggests the other or one cannot exist without the other. □ [+ with ] Paris has always been synonymous with elegance, luxury and style.
syn|op|sis /s I nɒ ps I s/ (synopses /s I nɒ psiːz/) N‑COUNT A synopsis is a summary of a longer piece of writing or work. □ For each title there is a brief synopsis of the book.
syn|tac|tic /s I ntæ kt I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Syntactic means relating to syntax. [TECHNICAL ] □ …three common syntactic devices in English.
syn|tax /s I ntæks/ N‑UNCOUNT Syntax is the ways that words can be put together, or are put together, in order to make sentences. [TECHNICAL ] □ His grammar and syntax, both in oral and written expression, were much better than the average.
synth /s I nθ/ (synths ) N‑COUNT A synth is the same as a synthesizer . [INFORMAL ]
syn|the|sis /s I nθ I s I s/ (syntheses /s I nθ I siːz/)
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A synthesis of different ideas or styles is a mixture or combination of these ideas or styles. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] His novels are a rich synthesis of Balkan history and mythology.
2 N‑VAR The synthesis of a substance is the production of it by means of chemical or biological reactions. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the genes that regulate the synthesis of these compounds.
syn|the|size /s I nθ I sa I z/ (synthesizes , synthesizing , synthesized ) in BRIT, also use synthesise 1 VERB To synthesize a substance means to produce it by means of chemical or biological reactions. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] After extensive research, Albert Hoffman first succeeded in synthesizing the acid in 1938.
2 VERB If you synthesize different ideas, facts, or experiences, you combine them to form a single idea or impression. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The movement synthesised elements of modern art that hadn't been brought together before, such as Cubism and Surrealism.
syn|the|sized /s I nθ I sa I zd/ in BRIT, also use synthesised ADJ [ADJ n] Synthesized sounds are produced electronically using a synthesizer. □ …synthesised dance music.
syn|the|siz|er /s I nθ I sa I zə r / (synthesizers ) in BRIT, also use synthesiser N‑COUNT A synthesizer is an electronic machine that produces speech, music, or other sounds, usually by combining individual syllables or sounds that have been previously recorded. □ Now he can only communicate through a voice synthesiser.
syn|thet|ic /s I nθe t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Synthetic products are made from chemicals or artificial substances rather than from natural ones. □ Boots made from synthetic materials can usually be washed in a machine. □ …synthetic rubber. ● syn|theti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the therapeutic use of natural and synthetically produced hormones.
syn|thet|ics /s I nθe t I ks/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to synthetic clothing, fabric, or materials as synthetics . □ Natural fabrics like silk and wool are better insulators than synthetics.