CRETINISE Meaning and
Definition
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Cretinise (also spelt "cretinize") is a verb that describes the act or process of reducing someone's intellectual abilities or functioning to a level characteristic of a cretin. The term "cretin" historically referred to individuals with severe congenital hypothyroidism, a medical condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland that leads to stunted growth, intellectual impairment, and other physical abnormalities. The verb "cretinise" is derived from this term and is used metaphorically to denote a deliberate or unintentional action that diminishes someone's mental capabilities, making them oblivious, foolish, or imbecilic.
When a person or an entity is "cretinised," it signifies the process or influence that progressively undermines their intellectual capacities, logical reasoning, or judgment. It is often used in critical or derogatory contexts to describe actions, policies, or ideologies that appear to dumb down or debase a person's thoughts, perceptions, or beliefs.
The term is commonly employed in discourse related to politics, education, and media, where it is used metaphorically to highlight instances when individuals or systems are perceived to be creating an environment or promoting ideas that result in intellectual regress or the suppression of critical thinking.
Overall, the verb "cretinise" suggests a deterioration or impairment in cognitive functioning, often caused by external factors or influences that inhibit mental growth or development.
Etymology of CRETINISE
The word "cretinise" is derived from the term "cretin", which has its roots in the French word "chrétien" meaning "Christian". This association can be traced back to the fact that individuals with severe congenital hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by stunted physical growth and impaired mental development, were often abandoned or left in monasteries in the Swiss Alps during Medieval times. This condition was presumed to be a punishment for sin, thus the label "chrétien" or "crestin" (meaning "Christian") was applied to them, reflecting the religious belief of that era. Over time, "cretin" and its derivatives, such as "cretinise", came to represent the process of becoming mentally and physically impaired or exhibiting similar characteristics.
Conjugate verb Cretinise
CONDITIONAL
I
would cretinise
you
would cretinise
he/she/it
would cretinise
we
would cretinise
they
would cretinise
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be cretinising
you
would be cretinising
he/she/it
would be cretinising
we
would be cretinising
they
would be cretinising
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have cretinise
you
would have cretinise
he/she/it
would have cretinise
we
would have cretinise
they
would have cretinise
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been cretinising
you
would have been cretinising
he/she/it
would have been cretinising
we
would have been cretinising
they
would have been cretinising
FUTURE
I
will cretinise
you
will cretinise
he/she/it
will cretinise
we
will cretinise
they
will cretinise
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be cretinising
you
will be cretinising
he/she/it
will be cretinising
we
will be cretinising
they
will be cretinising
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have cretinised
you
will have cretinised
he/she/it
will have cretinised
we
will have cretinised
they
will have cretinised
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been cretinising
you
will have been cretinising
he/she/it
will have been cretinising
we
will have been cretinising
they
will have been cretinising
IMPERATIVE
you
cretinise
we
let´s cretinise
to cretinise
PAST
I
cretinised
you
cretinised
he/she/it
cretinised
we
cretinised
they
cretinised
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was cretinising
you
were cretinising
he/she/it
was cretinising
we
were cretinising
they
were cretinising
PAST PARTICIPLE
cretinised
PAST PERFECT
I
had cretinised
you
had cretinised
he/she/it
had cretinised
we
had cretinised
they
had cretinised
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been cretinising
you
had been cretinising
he/she/it
had been cretinising
we
had been cretinising
they
had been cretinising
PRESENT
I
cretinise
you
cretinise
he/she/it
cretinises
we
cretinise
they
cretinise
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am cretinising
you
are cretinising
he/she/it
is cretinising
we
are cretinising
they
are cretinising
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
cretinising
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have cretinised
you
have cretinised
he/she/it
has cretinised
we
have cretinised
they
have cretinised
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been cretinising
you
have been cretinising
he/she/it
has been cretinising
we
have been cretinising
they
have been cretinising
