Syncretism

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪŋkɹəˌtɪsm/

Origin

Latin syncretismus, from Ancient Greek συγκρητισμός (synkrētismos, "federation of Cretan cities"), from συγκρητίζω (synkrētizō, "to unite against a common enemy"), from σύν (syn, "together") (English syn-) + Κρῆτες (Krētes, "Cretans") (English Cretans). Surface analysis is - + Crete + - “Crete joining together”.

Noun

1. The reconciliation or fusion of different systems or beliefs (or the attempt at such fusion).
2. (linguistics) The fusion of different inflexional forms.

Related terms

• syncretic
• syncretize