Main Entry: syn·cre·tism

Pronunciation: \ˈsiŋ-krə-ˌti-zəm, ˈsin-\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin syncretismus, from Greek synkrētismos federation of Cretan cities, from syn- + Krēt-, Krēs Cretan

Date: 1618

1 : the combination of different forms of belief or practice
2 : the fusion of two or more originally different inflectional forms

— syn·cre·tist \-tist\ noun or adjective

— syn·cre·tis·tic \ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈtis-tik, ˌsin-\ adjective