cynic

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See also: Cynic

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English cynike, cynicke, from Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Ancient Greek κυνικός (kunikós), originally derived from the portico in Athens called Κυνόσαργες (Kunósarges), the earliest home of the Cynic school, later reinterpreted as being derived from κύων (kúōn, dog), in a contemptuous allusion to the uncouth and aggressive manners adopted by the members of the school.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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cynic (plural cynics)

  1. A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
  2. A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.

Adjective

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cynic (comparative more cynic, superlative most cynic)

  1. cynical (in all senses)
  2. (not comparable) Relating to the Dog Star.
    the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle
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Translations

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Anagrams

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Middle French

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Alternative forms

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Adjective

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cynic m (feminine singular cynicque, masculine plural cynics, feminine plural cynicques)

  1. cynical