cretin

[ kreet-nor, especially British, kret-n ]

noun

1. (no longer in technical use) a person with cretinism.
2. Informal. a very stupid or contemptible person.

cretin

/ ˈkrɛtɪn /

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   a person afflicted with cretinism
2. offensive.
   a person considered to be extremely stupid

Derived Forms

• ˈcretinˌoid, adjective
• ˈcretinous, adjective

Other Words From

• cre·ti·noid adjective
• cre·tin·ous adjective
• sem·i·cre·tin noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cretin¹

First recorded in 1770–80; from French crétin, originally from French Alpine dialect creitin, crestin “deformed and mentally defective dwarf” (owing to iodine deficiency in Alpine regions); further origin uncertain; perhaps from Vulgar Latin Christiānus “a Christian, human being, unfortunate person,” from Latin Christiānus Christian

Word History and Origins

Origin of cretin¹

C18: from French crétin, from Swiss French crestin, from Latin Chrīstiānus Christian , alluding to the humanity of such people, despite their handicaps

Example Sentences

Another author mentions a cretin who could tell exactly the birthdays and death-days of the inhabitants of his town for a decade.

From Project Gutenberg

The poetical whim of Cretin, a French poet, brought into fashion punning or equivocal rhymes.

From Project Gutenberg

The cretin, whose eyes caught a glimpse of the cake, laughed, and began to try to reach out her hand to take it.

From Project Gutenberg

The cretin was the one variety of the human species with which the commandant had not yet come in contact.

From Project Gutenberg

Benassis himself, after a close scrutiny of the dull eyes and corpse-like face, gently took the cretin's hand and felt his pulse.

From Project Gutenberg