| syncopation |
| Definition: The performing of sycope, the contraction of the middle of a word. |
| Example: Saying e'er instead of ever. |
| Etymology: The word derives via Late Latin from the Greek synkope, contraction of a word, (from syn, together or thoroughly + koptein, to cut). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first OED citation is from circa 1532: "Syncopation is none other thyng by abreviation of length." (G. Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 898) |