n. & adj.
n. 1 a person who has little faith in human sincerity and goodness. 2 (Cynic) one of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure.
adj. 1 (Cynic) of the Cynics. 2 = CYNICAL. cynicism n.
[ L cynicus f. Gk kunikos f. kuon kunos dog, nickname for a Cynic ]