Cretin Meaning and Definition
Cretin
Pronunciation
/ˈkrɛtin/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Cretin (noun): A person of subnormal intelligence or a congenital condition characterized by physical and mental retardation.
Examples
- The medical professional referred to the individual as having a condition often associated with cretinism.
- The term ‘cretin’ is considered an outdated term for intellectual disability.
Synonyms
- Imbecile
- Moron
Antonyms
- Intellectual
- Genius
Etymology
Origin: The term ‘cretin’ comes from the French word ‘crétin’, which is derived from the German word ‘Kretin’, meaning ‘fool’. It was commonly used in the 19th century.
The term has its roots in the Latin word ‘cretinus’, which was used to describe people from the Crete region in Italy, who were believed to have intellectual disabilities.
Usage Notes
The term ‘cretin’ is often considered outdated and is not recommended for use in modern language due to its derogatory connotations.
Instead, more accurate and respectful terms such as ‘person with intellectual disability’ or ‘individual with disabilities’ are recommended.
Cultural References
The term ‘cretin’ has been mentioned in various literary works, including Dr. Seuss’s book ‘If I Ran the Zoo’, where he includes a listing of fictional creatures, one of which is ‘The Cretin’.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
None
Related Words or Phrases
The term ‘cretin’ is closely related to other words and phrases that describe intellectual disabilities or mental retardation, such as ‘imbecile’, ‘moron’, and ‘foolish).
Collocations
The term ‘cretin’ often collocates with words such as ‘child’, ‘person’, ‘intellectual’, and ‘disability’, as in ‘the child with cretinism’, ‘a person with intellectual disability’, etc.
Frequency of Use
The term ‘cretin’ is no longer commonly used in modern language due to its derogatory connotations and the preference for more respectful and accurate terms.
Common Misspellings
None