1601, "civil magistrate, especially in Geneva," from Fr. syndic "chief representative" (14c.), from L.L. syndicus "representative of a group or town," from Gk. syndikos "public advocate," from syn- "together" + dike "judgment, justice, usage, custom" (cognate with L. dicere "to show, tell;" see diction). Meaning "representative of a university or other corporation" first found 1607.
Main Entry: syn·dic Pronunciation: 'sin-dik Function: noun Etymology: French, government officer, from Late Latin syndicus, from Greek syndikos court assistant, advocate, from syn- together with + dikE right, judgment in the civil law of Louisiana: a trustee of property owned by an insolvent or bankrupt debtor
[sin-dik] 
) justice + -os n. suffix