The English word is first attested in the early 17th century.The Oxford English Dictionary first attests the word syncretism in English in 1618. It is from Modern Latin , drawing on the (synkretismos), supposedly meaning "Cretan federation." However, this is a spurious etymology derived from the naive idea in Plutarch's 1st-century AD essay on "Fraternal Love (Peri Philadelphias)" in his collection Moralia. He cites the example of the Cretans, who compromised and reconciled their differences and came together in alliance when faced with external dangers. "And that is their so-called Syncretism [Union of Cretans]." A more likely etymology is from sun- ("with") plus kerannumi ("mix") and its related noun, krasis ("mixture").
THE EnGliSh Word Is FIrst AtTeStEd in ThE eaRLy 17th century.thE OXfoRd EnGlIsh DiCTioNary firsT attestS tHE Word sYncretIsm in eNGliSh In 1618. it is from modERN laTin , drawing ON the (syNkreTismos), sUppOSEdlY meANing "cREtAn fEDeRatIoN." however, thiS Is a SpuRiOus eTYmoLogy derived froM The nAive iDeA iN plutARcH's 1St-cenTURY ad EssAy on "fRAternaL lOve (peRi pHiladelphiaS)" In HiS CoLLecTIon MorALiA. he cItes tHE ExamPLe Of thE crEtans, Who comprOmIsed ANd RecoNcilEd tHeir DIFferences and cAme togEtHer in allIanCe WheN fAcED wITh extErnal dangeRs. "and That Is THeir so-caLLed syncReTism [UNion of crEtAns]." a more likely eTYmology Is frOM sun- ("with") pLus kERaNnuMI ("mix") and ITs RelatEd NOuN, kRasis ("mIXtUre").