syncretism

/ˌsɪŋkrəˈtɪzəm/

/ˈsɪŋkrətɪsəm/

Other forms: syncretisms

Syncretism is a union or attempted fusion of different religions, cultures, or philosophies — like Halloween, which has both Christian and pagan roots, or the combination of Aristotelian philosophy with the belief system of the early punk rock practitioners.

Syncretism may apply to something whose parts sync well, like salsa dance (a merging combination of African, Latin American, and European cultures), or something whose parts merge less successfully. Syncretism is also a word used for merging different inflection word forms, so that a word can serve more than one function. Examples in English are you, which can be an object or a subject, or pet, which is the same in the past and present tense.

Definitions of syncretism

1. noun

   the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy)
   “a syncretism of material and immaterial theories”

   type of:

   unification, union

   the state of being joined or united or linked
2. noun

   the fusion of originally different inflected forms (resulting in a reduction in the use of inflections)
   type of:

   fusion

   the merging of adjacent sounds or syllables or words