Definition:
The attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.
Examples:
1. There appears to be a very early example of syncretism in p. 49Australia. The Homeric Hymns Andrew Lang
2. Then syncretism began, and a body of sectarian notions was formed. Folkways William Graham Sumner
3. Such was the path of syncretism, and it was fraught with 180 peril to the older and purer faith.
Did You Know:
"reconciliation of different beliefs," 1610s, from Modern Latin syncretismus (David Pareus, 1615), from Greek synkretismos "union of communities," from synkretizein "to combine against a common enemy," from syn- "together" (see syn- ) + second element of uncertain origin. One theory connects it with kretismos "lying," from kretizein "to lie like a Cretan;" another connects it with the stem of kerannynai "to mix, blend;" krasis "mixture."
