cynic

See also: Cynic

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English cynike, cynicke, from Middle French cinicque, 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 a derivation of κύων (kúōn, “dog”), in a contemptuous allusion to the uncouth and aggressive manners adopted by the members of the school.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈsɪnɪk/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪnɪk
  • Homophone: Sinic

Noun

cynic (plural cynics)

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

Adjective

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

Translations
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Anagrams

Middle French

Alternative forms
  • cynicque (masculine and feminine)

Adjective

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

  1. cynical
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