chrismon

The story

1. Medieval Latin · derived fromcrismon
2. English todaychrismon

From Medieval Latin crismon (New Latin chrismus, chrismum, chrismos), of uncertain origin. In the 18th century adopted in German as Chrismon or Chrismum, plural Chrismen. English in the 19th century. The word was revived for a type of Christmas decoration in the mid 20th century, now with a popular etymology of its being a portmanteau of Christus + monogram.