Cretinism

krē′tin-izm, n. a state of defective mental development, a ociated with bodily deformity or arrested growth, occurring esp. in connection with enlargement of the thyroid gland or goitre in the lower Alpine valleys.— n. Crē′tin , one affected with cretinism.— adjs. Crē′tinous , Crē′tinised . [Fr. crétin —Swi crest in —L. christian-us , prob. implying that, after all, they are human, or that they are (from their fatuousne ) incapable of sin—cf. the frequent use of innocent .]