verb
- to cause cretinism in; to affect with cretinism (a condition of stunted growth and mental deficiency caused by iodine deficiency)
Usage: chiefly British spelling (American: cretinize); medical/technical term; often used in passive voice
Examples
- Iodine deficiency in the diet can cretinise children in regions where salt is not iodized.
- The lack of proper nutrition cretinised an entire generation in that isolated area.
- Public health campaigns aim to prevent conditions that might cretinise vulnerable populations.