prefix, latinized form of Gr. ουν- (= ούν prep. with), together, similarly, alike, occurring in many modern scientific terms, the more recent or less important of which are collected in this article.
It undergoes assimilation before consonants, before l to syl-, e.g., SYLLABLE, συλλαβή, SYLLEPSIS, σύλληψις, before labials to SYM- (q.v.), before simple s to sys-, e.g., SYSSARCOSIS, συσσάρκωσις; before s + consonant and z it is reduced to sy-, e.g., SYSTEM, σύστημα, SYZYGY, συζυγία. The assimilation of (n) to (ŋ) before velars, denoted by γ in Gr., is not represented graphically in L. and Eng., e.g., συγκοπή SYNCOPE.
Synacmic a. Bot. [Gr. ἀκμή point, culmination, ACME], having the stamens and pistils ripening at the same time; so Synacmy, simultaneous ripening of the stamens and pistils of a flower (opp. to heteracmy). Synadelphic a. Zool. [Gr. ἀδελφός brother] (see quot.). ǁ Synalgia Path. [Gr. ἄλγος pain; cf. συνάλγειν to sympathize], sympathetic pain in one part caused by injury in another; so Synalgic a., of the nature of or affected with synalgia (Dorland). ǁ Synandrium, Synandry Bot. [Gr. ἀνδρ-, ἀνήρ man, taken as = ‘male organ, stamen’], abnormal union of stamens. ǁ Synanthema Path. (pl. -mata) [mod.L., after EXANTHEMA] (see quots.). Synaposematic a. Biol. [Gr. ἀπό away from, σηματ-, σῆμα mark] applied to different organisms having common warning colors or other characteristics; hence Synaposematicism, -sematism, synaposematic character. Syncentric a. rare–0, concentric (Blount, Glossogr., 1656). ǁ Syncerebrum Zool. (pl. -a) [L. cerebrum brain], a term for the compound ‘brain’ of an insect; hence Syncerebral a., pertaining to a syncerebrum. Syncladous a. Bot. [Gr. κλάδος shoot] (see quot.). Syncotyledonous a. Bot., having the cotyledons united. Syncracy Polit. [-CRACY] (see quot.). Syncraniate a. Zool. [CRANIUM], applied to that type of skull that includes certain vertebral elements, as in the higher vertebrates. Syncryptic a. Biol. [CRYPTIC], applied to the resemblance between different organisms (esp. insects) having common protective coloration by which they are concealed from attack. Syndiagnostic a. Biol. [DIAGNOSTIC] (see quot.). Synechthry, erron. -ecthry, Entom. [Gr. ἔχθρος hostile], term proposed by Wasmann for the hostile relation between ants and certain other insects that maintain themselves in the ant-colonies as unwelcome guests; hostile commensalism (opp. to symphily). ǁ Synema Bot. [mod.L., erron. for *synnema, f. Gr. νῆμα thread, filament], a column of united stamen-filaments, as in Orchids, Malvaceæ, etc. Synencephalocele Path. (see quot.). Synepigonic a. Biol. [Gr. ἐπίγονος descendant], descended from a common ancestor or ancestors. Synethnic a. [Gr. ἔθνος nation], belonging to the same nation. Synharmonic Math., a. having a common harmonic relation; sb. a locus synharmonic with another (also Synharmonical): see quots. ǁ Synkaryon Biol. (pl. -a) [Gr. κἀρυον nut, taken as = nucleus], a pair of nuclei, or a nucleus produced by the fusion of two nuclei, as in fertilization, esp. in certain fungi; hence Synkaryophyte [Gr. φυτόν plant], that stage in the development of a fungus at which synkarya are formed. ǁ Synkinesis Physiol. [Gr. κίνησις movement], associated movement, esp. reflex muscular movement: so Synkinetic a. [KINETIC], pertaining to or of the nature of synkinesis. Synnomic a. Anthropol. [Gr. νόμος custom, law] (see quot.). Synocreate (erron. -och-) a. Bot., applied to stipules that unite into a sheath inclosing the stem (Balfour, Man. Bot., 1849, § 160). Synorchism [Gr. ὄρχις testicle], union or fusion of the testicles. Synorthographic a., having the same orthography, spelt alike. Synotic a. [Gr. ὠτ-, οὖς ear], characterized by union or fusion of the ears in the middle line of the head. Synpelmous, Synpetalous adjs., bad forms of sympelmous, -petalous (see SYM-). ǁ Synsacrum Anat. [mod.L., f. SACRUM], the composite sacrum, consisting of a number of vertebræ united, in birds and some extinct reptiles; hence Synsacral a., pertaining to the synsacrum. Synsepalous a. Bot., having the sepals united, gamosepalous. Synspermy Bot. [Gr. σπέρμα seed], abnormal fusion of two or more seeds; so Synspermous a., characterized by synspermy. Syntechnic a. Biol. [Gr. τέχνη art, craft], applied to a resemblance between organisms arising from similarity of function. Syntelic a. Anthropol. [Gr. τέλος end] (see quot. for synnomic). Syntepalous a. Bot. [see TEPAL], having the tepals united. Synthermal [Gr. θερμός heat], a. having the same temperature; sb. an isotherm connecting places having the same temperature at the same moment of time. Syntoxoid, a toxoid having the same degree of affinity for the antitoxin as the toxin from which it is derived.
1870. A. W. Bennett, in Jrnl. Bot., Oct., 316. In *synacmic plants … the period of maturity of one organ may frequently exceed in length that of the other, so as to render cross-fertilization easy.
1883. Science, I. 432/2. In no small number of instances … the plant is strongly protogynous, while it is sometimes synacmic.
1870. A. W. Bennett, in Jrnl. Bot., Oct., 318. *Synacmy, or the contemporaneous maturing of the reproductive organs, is nearly as frequent as protandry.
1887. Harrison Allen, in Science, 11 March, 232/2. The action of both wings and feet, since both pairs act together, is what I propose to call *synadelphic.
1890. Billings, Med. Dict., *Synalgia, associated or sympathetic pain.
1897. Willis, Flowering Plants, I. 76. Sometimes the union is so complete as to include the anthers, and a *synandrium is formed.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, *Synandry, Morren’s term where stamens normally separated are soldered or united.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 461. The elemental forms present he [sc. Auspitz] designated as anthemata and the various secondary and later groupings which go to make up the whole exanthem as *synanthemata.
1901. Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 2), Synanthema..., a local eruption consisting of a group of papules.
1898. Poulton, Ess. Evolution (1908), 223. Müllerian Resemblance is not true Mimicry at all, but rather an example of Common Warning Colour, the term *Synaposematic was proposed as descriptive of it.
1907. Nature, 31 Oct., 676/2. As a further illustration of … *‘synaposematism,’ or the adoption of a common warning badge on the part of distasteful forms, we may take the wonderfully diverse assemblage that centres round the conspicuous and distasteful beetles belonging to the genus Lycus.
1881. E. R. Lankester, Stud. Apus, etc. 32. We distinguish the original ganglion pair of the præstomial region as the archi-cerebrum—it is well to designate by a distinct term the composite ganglion, which may result from the fusion with it of other ganglia—it may be called a *syncerebrum.
1863. M. J. Berkeley, Brit. Mosses, Gloss. 313. *Syncladous, used when branchlets grow in tufts from the same point.
1898. Syd. Soc. Lex., *Syncotyledonous, having its cotyledons joined together.
1861. Austin, Jurispr. (ed. 2), Note 331. *Syncracy: wherein the executive powers reside in the sovereign one or number; but the legislative powers, in the sovereign one or number, with the active (as distinguished from the passive) portion of the subject citizens.
1902. G. B. Howes, in Smithsonian Rep. (1903), 591. I have … proposed to discriminate between the series of terrestrial vertebrates as archæcraniate and *syncraniate…. The costal sternum, like the syncraniate skull, is distinctive of the Amniota alone.
1901. Trans. Entomol. Soc., 375. Mr. Beddard quotes this … as one of his cases of apparently useless mimicry, but it may be an example of *syncryptic resemblance.
1904. Poulton, Ess. Evolution (1908), 60. Forms having certain structural characters in common distinguishing them from the forms of other groups. Groups thus defined by the Linnaean method of Diagnosis may be conveniently called *Syndiagnostic.
1899. D. Sharp, in Cambridge Nat. Hist., VI. 183. *‘Synecthry,’ including those Insects, etc., to which the ants are hostile, but which nevertheless maintain themselves in the midst of their foes.
1859. Henslow, Dict. Bot. Terms, *Synema, the portion of the Gynostemium corresponding to the position of the combined filaments.
1886. Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., II. 680/2. Encephaloceles arising from abnormal adhesions, or what is technically known as *synencephalocele.
1904. Poulton, Ess. Evolution (1908), 61. Forms which have been shown … to be descended from common ancestors or from a common parthenogenetic or self-fertilizing ancestor. Such groups may be called *Synepigonic.
1879. Times, 12 March, 4/1. [Dr. Lasker] is, like his *synethnic co-reformer Paul, a man of no great presence.
1850. T. P. Kirkman, in Cambr. & Dubl. Math. Jrnl., V. 102. A … curve … which … touches the n harmonicals (H), *synharmonic with A in respect of the n pairs (ue ve). Ibid., 104. Curves … which touch alike the three harmonicals … and meet each its synharmonic … at the six angles of the hexagon. Ibid., 97. The tangents at the intersection of p = 0 and q = 0 form with them an harmonic pencil…. Let this be denoted by saying that the two branches of [the curve] R = 0 are *synharmonicals in respect of [the straight lines] p = 0 and q = 0.
1904. Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc., April, 222. L. Petri … finds the two nuclei (the *synkarion) present in the hyphæ of the trama, as described for other hymenomycetes.
1905. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 25 Feb., 442. The male and female nuclei closely combine, forming the synkaryon.
1904. Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc., Feb., 94. That phase in the life-history, the *synkaryophyte, which plays so important a part in the development in the Basidiomycetes.
1881. J. Ross, Treat. Dis. Nervous Syst., I. v. I. 162. *Synkinesis. Under this term are generally included certain involuntary movements of paralysed paris; but I shall extend the meaning of the word so as to include also certain motor anomalies which occur in muscles subject to spasm.
1883. Arthur, Fernley Lect., 16. Carpogenethlic synkinesis of the sexes with other phenomena of the botanic hierarchy.
1901. Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 2), *Synkinetic, pertaining to or of the nature of synkinesis.
1911. Marett, Anthropol., ix. 236. Let us assume, then, that there are two main stages in the historical evolution of society…. I propose to term them the *syonnomic and the syntelic phases of society. ‘Synnomic’ (from the Greek nomos, custom) means that customs are shared. ‘Syntelic’ (from the Greek telos, end) means that ends are shared. The synnomic phase is, from the psychological point of view, a kingdom of habit; the syntelic phase is a kingdom of reflection.
1898. Syd. Soc. Lex., *Synorchism.
1786. Pinkerton, Anc. Sc. Poems, I. p. cxliii. *Synorthographic and Symphonious Words.
1894. W. Bateson, Study of Variation, xviii. 458. The ears of vertebrates … in the *synotic or cephalotic condition are compounded in the middle line to a varying degree.
1890. Seebohm, in Ibis, Jan., 31. In *synpelmous birds the plantars do not cross each other at the back of the tarsus…, but coalesce at the point where they usually cross.
1870. A. W. Bennett, in Jrnl. Bot., June, 192. I would propose … terms similar to those applied to the pistil, where we use ‘apocarpous,’ and ‘syncarpous.’… The terms ‘aposepalous,’ ‘synsepalous,’ ‘apopetalous,’ and *‘synpetalous,’ would at once convey their meanings.
1903. Proc. Zool. Soc., 17 March, 282. The pelvis of the Musophagi…, its breadth is due … to the great length of the *synsacral transverse processes. Ibid., 273. The most complete *synsacrum is that of Coua, and is made up as follows:—1 thoracic, 3 lumbar, 3 lumbo-sacral, 2 sacral, and 4 caudal [vertebræ].
1847. W. E. Steele, Field Bot., p. xxii. Cal[yx] *synsepalous, coloured. Primuleæ.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, *Synspermous.
1869. M. T. Masters, Veget. Teratol., 50. *Synspermy, or Union of the Seeds.
1902. Poulton, in Encycl. Brit., XXVII. 147/1. Resemblances … incidentally caused by functional adaptation, such as the mole-like forms produced in the burrowing Insectivora [etc.]…. Such likeness may be called *Syntechnic Resemblance.
1911. Marett, Anthropol., ix. 236. *Syntelic [see synnomic]. Ibid., 237. That independence of character which is the prime condition of syntelic society.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, *Syntepalous, the tepals united.
1839. G. Roberts, Dict. Geol., *Synthermal..., having the same degree of heat. Applied to the exterior and interior of the earth, which … are not synthermal, but differ greatly in temperature.
1901. Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 2), *Syntoxoid.
1903. [see TOXOID].
