systole

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɪstəli/

noun

Physiology
  • the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries. Often contrasted with diastole.

Derivatives

systolic

Pronunciation: /-ˈstɒlɪk/
adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek sustolē, from sustellein 'to contract'