GNAP! GNAP!

cre·tin·ism
n.

A congenital condition caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone during prenatal development and characterized in childhood by dwarfed stature, mental retardation, dystrophy of the bones, and a low basal metabolism. Also called congenital myxedema.

A person afflicted with cretinism.
Offensive Slang. An idiot.

[French crétin, from French dialectal deformed and mentally retarded person, from Vulgar Latin *christinus, Christian, human being, poor fellow, from Latin Chrstinus, Christian; see Christian.]

cretin·oid (-oid) adj.

cretin·ous (-s) adj.