cretin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical and offensive: a person with congenital hypothyroidism, formerly described using this term

   Modern medical writing uses congenital hypothyroidism instead of the outdated label cretin.

2. 2
   noun

   offensive: a contemptuous term for a person regarded as stupid

   The editor removed the insult cretin from the published letter.

Simplified etymology

Cretin entered English in the late 18th century from French crétin, probably from Swiss French crestin, “Christian.” Crestin could mean “human creature” and was likely used compassionately in the sense “poor fellow” for someone affected by congenital thyroid deficiency; the word later became a term of abuse.

Borrowed from French crétin, probably from an Alpine form of chrétien (Christian) once used in the sense of a fellow person. The former medical label is obsolete and offensive; modern medicine uses congenital hypothyroidism.

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