n. [ Cf. F. syncrétiste. ] One who attempts to unite principles or parties which are irreconcilably at variance; specifically (Eccl. Hist.), an adherent of George Calixtus and other Germans of the seventeenth century, who sought to unite or reconcile the Protestant sects with each other and with the Roman Catholics, and thus occasioned a long and violent controversy in the Lutheran church. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Pertaining to, or characterized by, syncretism; as, a syncretistic mixture of the service of Jehovah and the worship of idols. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to Syncretists. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to make two parties join against a third: cf. F. syncrétisme. ] 1. Attempted union of principles or parties irreconcilably at variance with each other. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is plotting a carnal syncretism, and attempting the reconcilement of Christ and Belial. Baxter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syncretism is opposed to eclecticism in philosophy. Krauth-Fleming. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Philol.) The union or fusion into one of two or more originally different inflectional forms, as of two cases. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]