[cyn.ic] n [MF or L, MF cynique, fr. L cynicus, fr. Gk kynikos, lit., like a dog, fr. kyn-, kyon dog--more at hound] (ca. 1564) 1 cap: an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence
2: a faultfinding captious critic; esp: one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest -- cynic adj