cynic
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See also: Cynic
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
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
Noun
cynic (plural cynics)
- 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.
- 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.
- A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.
Adjective
cynic (comparative more cynic, superlative most cynic)
- cynical (in all senses)
- (not comparable) Relating to the Dog Star.
- the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle
Related terms
Translations
A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness
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A person whose outlook is scornfully negative
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
Anagrams
Middle French
Alternative forms
- cynicque (masculine and feminine)
Adjective
cynic m (feminine singular cynicque, masculine plural cynics, feminine plural cynicques)