• Cynic

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈsɪnɪk/
    • Rhymes: -ɪnɪk
    • Homophones: Sinic

    Alternative forms

    Origin

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

    Full definition of cynic

    Adjective

    cynic

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

    Noun

    cynic

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

    Related terms

    Anagrams

    © Wiktionary