syncretism

[ sing-kri-tiz-uhm, sin- ]

noun

1. the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.
2. Grammar. the merging, as by historical change in a language, of two or more categories in a specified environment into one, as, in nonstandard English, the use of was with both singular and plural subjects, while in standard English was is used with singular subjects (except for you in the second person singular) and were with plural subjects.

syncretism

/ ˈsɪŋkrɪˌtɪzəm; sɪŋˈkrɛtɪk /

noun

1. the tendency to syncretize
2. the historical tendency of languages to reduce their use of inflection, as in the development of Old English with all its case endings into Modern English

Derived Forms

• ˈsyncretist, noun
• syncretic, adjective

Other Words From

• syn·cret·ic [sin-, kret, -ik], syn·cret·i·cal syn·cre·tis·tic [sing-kri-, tis, -tik, sin-], adjective
• syn·cre·tist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncretism¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from New Latin syncretismus, from Greek synkrētismós “union of Cretans,” i.e., a united front of two opposing parties against a common foe, derivative of synkrēt(ízein) “to form a confederation” ( syncretize ) + -ismos noun suffix ( -ism )

Word History and Origins

Origin of syncretism¹

C17: from New Latin syncrētismus, from Greek sunkrētismos alliance of Cretans, from sunkrētizein to join forces (in the manner of the Cretan towns), from syn- + Krēs a Cretan

Example Sentences

Quite fascinatingly, over time, Anubis continued to be worshipped through a unique scope of cultural syncretism.

From Realm of History

His mysticism and syncretism were things that precisely Christianity cannot reproach him with.

From Project Gutenberg

And it is here especially that we notice the syncretism which is peculiar to him.

From Project Gutenberg

There appears to be a very early example of syncretism in p. 49Australia.

From Project Gutenberg

Pupils under 16 were assigned the topic Syncretism in the later pagan movement.

From Project Gutenberg

Those which now pass for Christian in western Europe are the result of the syncretism of two thousand years.

From Project Gutenberg