cynic
See also: Cynic
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom 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
editNoun
editcynic (plural cynics)
- A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
- A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.
Adjective
editcynic (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
editTranslations
editA 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
editMiddle French
editAlternative forms
edit- cynicque (masculine and feminine)
Adjective
editcynic m (feminine singular cynicque, masculine plural cynics, feminine plural cynicques)
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