syncretism

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɪŋkɹəˌtɪsm/

Noun

syncretism (countable and uncountable, plural syncretisms)

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