Word Study
cretin
CIDE DICTIONARY
cretin, n. [F. crétin; of uncertain origin.].
One afflicted with cretinism. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cretin, n.
1 a person who is deformed and mentally retarded as the result of a thyroid deficiency.
2 colloq. a stupid person.
1 a person who is deformed and mentally retarded as the result of a thyroid deficiency.
2 colloq. a stupid person.
Derivative
cretinism n. cretinize v.tr. (also -ise). cretinous adj.
Etymology
F cr{eacute}tin f. Swiss F. creitin, crestin f. L Christianus CHRISTIAN
THESAURUS
cretin
ament, born fool, clot, congenital idiot, defective, golem, half-wit, idiot, imbecile, juggins, mongoloid idiot, moron, natural, natural idiot, natural-born fool, simp, simpleton, zany, zombieFor further exploring for "cretin" in Webster Dictionary Online