cynic

• cynick (obsolete)

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.

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɪnɪk/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪnɪk
• Homophone: Sinic

cynic (plural cynics)

1. A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
   • 2000 June 13, Darren Tackle, The Guardian:

     Well, that's one in the eye for the nay-sayers, the doubters, the cynics and assorted tosspots what make up the media and that.

   • 2008, Wally Lamb, The Hour I First Believed, Ch.2, at p.29-30:

     "Accept your limitations," I'd warn her. "A lot of these kids are damaged beyond repair." And you know what her response was? That I was cynical. Which hit a nerve, I had to admit. I wasn't a cynic; I was a banged-up realist. You live to middle age, you begin to reckon with life's limits, you know? You lace up your sneakers and run it out.

   • 2010, Kathy Lynn Emerson, Family Lies:

     The cynic surfaced, reminding him that she'd been accused of trying to spring the baby trap on Brad Comfort.

2. A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.

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

• cynical
• cynicism

• Cincy

• cynicque (masculine and feminine)

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

1. cynical