συστολή

συστολ-ή, ἡ, (συστέλλω)

• drawing together, drawing up, contraction, σ. εἰς αὑτάς (of souls in pain) Plu. Vind. 2.564b; [τὴν ψυχὴν] ποτὲ μὲν εἰς ἡδονὰς καὶ διαχύσεις ἄγεσθαι, ποτὲ δὲ εἰς οἴκτους καὶ συστολάς Ptol. Harm. 3.7; λύπη ἐστὶν ἄλογος σ. Stoic. 3.95, cf. Thphr. Fr. 77, Zeno Stoic. 1.51, Epicur. Fr. 410; esp. in Medic., a contraction of the heart or lungs, opp. διαστολή, Herophil. ap. Placit. 4.22.3; σφυγμός ἐστι διαστολὴ καὶ σ. καρδίας καὶ ἀρτηριῶν Gal. 8.700; of other organs, [τῆς μήτρας] Sor. 1.70b; συστολαί τινες ἀνειδεῖς εἰς ἄρθρα Alex.Trall. Verm. p.589 P., cf. Gal. 18(2).128.
• • • 2 contraction, limitation, συστολῆς μᾶλλον ἢ προσθέσεως τὰς τιμὰς δεῖσθαι Plu. Caes. 60, cf. Sanit. 135a.
    • 3 abasing, taking down, Laud. 544e.
    • 4 Gramm., change of a long vowel into a short, e.g. ξερόν for ξηρόν, A.D. Synt. 281.7; σ. Ἰωνικὴ ἢ ποιητική EM 735.51; also pronouncing as short a syllable that is strictly long, D.H. Comp. 25, D.T. 633.12, S.E. M. 1.108.
    • 5 lessening of expenses, retrenchment, Plb. 27.13.4, Phld. Oec. p.71 J. (pl.).
    • 6 spareness, tenuity, τῶν ἀγαλμάτων Demetr. Eloc. 14.
    • 7 pusillanimity, Poll. 5.122.
    • 8 fasting, Sor. 1.49, 2.15, al.
    • 9 in fevers, remission, Alex.Trall. Febr. 4; but also a chill, the cold stage of ague, Gal. 7.428.