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Webster 1913 Edition
Cynic
Cyn′ic
,Noun.
(Gr. Philos)
1.
One of a sect or school of philosophers founded by Antisthenes, and of whom Diogenes was a disciple. The first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn for social customs and current philosophical opinions. Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment, moroseness, and contempt for the views of others.
2.
One who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy.
He could obtain from one morose
cynic
, whose opinion it was impossible to despise, scarcely any not acidulated with scorn. Macaulay.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cynic
CYNIC
, CYNICAL,Adj.
Cynic spasm, a kind of convulsion, in which the patient imitates the howling of dogs.
Definition 2024
Cynic
Cynic
See also: cynic
English
Noun
Cynic (plural Cynics)
- A member of a sect of Ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.
Translations
member
Adjective
Cynic (not comparable)
- Of or relating to the Cynics.
Translations
relating to the Cynics
References
- “Cynic” in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
Anagrams
cynic
cynic
See also: Cynic
English
Alternative forms
- cynick (obsolete)
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
Noun
cynic (plural cynics)
- A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.
- A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
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