syncretism English · revision 1146

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɪŋkɹəˌtɪzm̩/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-new|syncretismus]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) perhaps through [[fr|syncrétisme]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[der|grc|συγκρητισμός|tr=sunkrētismós|t=union of communities]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from ''sunkrētízein'' “to combine against a common enemy”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) This is traditionally explained as “to unite like the Cretans”, from [[grc|Κρής|tr=Krḗs|t=Cretan]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) though Etymonline also mentions a link with ''kerannúnai'' “to mix”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An attempted union or reconciliation of different or opposing beliefs, especially in philosophy or religion (1618).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The New Latin word was coined among German Protestant theologians who tried to harmonize their sects,^(Etymonline) and in English it has often been pejorative, suggesting an attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable.^(Etymonline) In linguistics it has meant the merging of different inflectional forms since 1909,^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) and in psychology the fusing of diverse ideas into a general impression since 1926.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1615 – New Latin ''syncretismus''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1618 – ''syncretism''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1675 – ''syncretize''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1909 – in grammar, the merging of inflectional forms.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1926 – in psychology.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The fusion or reconciliation of different systems of belief or practice, as in [[philosophy]] or [[religion]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In [[grammar]], the merging of two or more originally different [[inflection|alt=inflectional]] forms.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[syncretic]]

+ * [[syncretist]]

+ * [[syncretistic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[syncretize]]

+ * [[eclectic]]

+ * [[syn-]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}