Also 6 sistole. [mod.L., ad. Gr. συστολή, f. Gr. σύν SYN- + στολ- (:στέλλειν to place), after συστέλλειν to draw together, contract. Cf. F. systole, † cistole (c. 1600), It. sistole, Sp. sístole, Pg. systole.]
1. Phys. 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, Lett. 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.
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. Mysticism, i. 28. A systole and diastole of the spiritual life.
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.
