synaptic

English

Etymology

From New Latin synapticus, from Ancient Greek συναπτικός (sunaptikós, capable of adjusting).

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -æptɪk

Adjective

synaptic (not comparable)

  1. (physiology) Of or relating to a synapse—the junction between the terminal of a neuron and another cell.
    • 2020, Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar, Hamish Hamilton, page 6:
      With a pencil, he highlights areas where synaptic function is declining, where the neurons are dying.
  2. (cytology) Of or relating to a synapsis—the association of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes during the initial part of meiosis.
    • 1913, Frederick McAllister, On the cytology and embryology of Smilacina racemosa:
      By far the greater proportion of cytologists however are of the opinion that the synaptic contraction is a normal stage in the heterotypic prophases.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • synaptic”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
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