‖ systole
(ˈsɪstəliː)
Also 6 sistole.
[mod.L., ad. Gr. συστολή, f. Gr. σύν syn-1 + στολ- (:—στέλλειν to place), after συστέλλειν to draw together, contract. Cf. F. systole, † cistole (c 1600), It. sistole, Sp. s{iacu}stole, Pg. systole.]
1. Phys. a. The regular contraction of the heart and arteries that drives the blood outward: opposed to diastole.
| 1578 Banister Hist. Man vii. 92 b, Sistole is, when the hart by constriction putteth forth the same [spirit]. 1605 Daniel Queen's Arcadia iii. ii. (1606) F j b, The Systole, and Dyastole of your pulse, Do shew your passions most hystericall. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. i. 41 In this Animal [sc. lamprey] the heart in every diastole is of a fair purple and ruddy colour, and in every systole pale and wan. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 76 The systole of the left ventricle. 1707 Floyer Physic. Pulse-Watch 18 When the Heart is in its Systole, the Arteries are dilated. 1806 H. K. White Let. to Maddock 17 Feb., The systole and diastole of my heart seem to be playing at ball—the stake, my life. 1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 655/2 The systole of each cavity [of the heart] is immediately followed by its diastole or relaxation. 1877 M. Foster Physiol. i. iv. (1879) 145 Practically speaking, there is no interval between the auricular and ventricular systole [of the heart]. |
b. Applied to similar rhythmical contraction in other organs, as the lungs, the intestines, the pulsatile vesicles in protozoans, the contractile vesicles in certain algæ, etc.
| 1578 Banister Hist. Man viii. 99 Not onely to the hart belongeth the same Diastole, and Sistole, but likewise to the brayne. 1657 Trapp Comm. Job x. 8 He was amazed at the manner of the motion of the lungs by Systole and Diastole. 1660 [see diastole 1]. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxxix. IV. 81 A long dorsal vessel, the first step towards a heart, which alternately contracts and dilates with an irregular systole and diastole. 1855 T. R. Jones Anim. Kingd. (ed. 2) 306 The contraction or systole in any given [branchial] tuft occurs at frequent but irregular intervals. 1882 W. S. Kent Man. Infusoria II. 874 Systole, a term applied to the contracting action of the structure known as the contractile vesicle of Infusoria and other Protozoa. |
c. fig. Also Comb., as systole-diastole.
| 1831 [see diastole 1 fig.]. 1849 De Quincey Eng. Mail Coach i. Misc. (1854) 300 To interrupt the great respirations, ebb and flood, systole and diastole, of the national intercourse. 1872 Geo. Eliot Middlem. lxiii, There must be a systole and diastole in all inquiry. 1899 W. R. Inge Chr. Myst. i. 28 A systole and diastole of the spiritual life. 1924 C. Gray Survey Contemp. Music 260 The immediate future..will witness a return to tradition... So it always has been... It is the systole-diastole of the world of art. 1946 M. Lowry Let. 2 Jan. (1967) 74 Here we come to the heart of the book which..returns..to the uneasy, but healthy, systole-diastole of Hugh. |
2. Pros. The shortening of a vowel or syllable long by nature or position.
| 1577 Peacham Gard. Eloquence E ij b, Systole, when a long Sillable is made shorte, contrary to the nature therof, Darîus for Darïus, Diâna for Diäna, Iosêphus for Iosëphus. 1639 J. Bird Grounds of Gram. (1641) 183. 1657 J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 176. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Systole, in Grammar, is part of the Poetical Licence, whereby a long Syllable is made short: As in that of Virgil.—Tulerunt fastidia Menses. |