Synaptic
/sɪˈnæp.tɪk/noun
Relating to a synapse, the junction where a nerve cell communicates with another cell.
Did you know?The term ultimately comes from Greek synaptein, “to join together,” and the modern scientific noun synapse was introduced by physiologist Charles Sherrington in the 1890s.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ep-
“To fit, fasten, or attach”
Ancient Greek
Greek
haptein
“To fasten, attach, or join”
Ancient Greek
Greek
synaptein
“To join together; syn- means “together””
Ancient Greek
Greek
synapsis
“A joining or connection”
19th Century
Scientific Latin/English
synapse
“A junction between nerve cells, coined for modern neurobiology”
Modern English
English
synaptic
“Relating to a synapse”