Definition of cretin
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of cretin in a Sentence
a cretin who's constantly forwarding e-mails filled with racist and sexist jokes
in discussions anyone who disagrees with her is inevitably called a cretin
Did You Know?
Chronic iodine deficiencies in diet can result in malfunctions of the thyroid gland, thr gland that produces hormones necessary for normal human development. Some mountainous regions, such as parts of the Alps, do not naturally provide their inhabitants with a diet rich enough in iodine, and the resultant hyperthyroidism causes dwarfism and severe mental retardation. In Franco-Provençal (the Romance speech of French Switzerland and adjacent areas of France), a person malformed due to hyperthyroidism was called a cretin, literally, “wretch, innocent victim,” The word meant simply “Christian” and emphasized the hyperthyroid victim's basic humanity.
Origin and Etymology of cretin
French crétin, from French dialect cretin, literally, wretch, innocent victim, from Latin christianus Christian
First Known Use: 1779
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about cretin
-
See words that rhyme with cretin Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cretin Spanish Central: Translation of cretin Nglish: Translation of cretin for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up cretin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!