Sŷs'to-le, n.

n. [Gr. συστολή, from συστέλλειν, to contract, from σύν, with, and στέλλειν, to set, place; Fr. systole.]

1. (Gram.) The shortening of a long syllable.
2. (Physiol.) The contraction of the heart and arteries for expelling the blood and carrying on the circulation. See DIASTOLE.