I. ˈsinik, -nēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, doglike (probably influenced in meaning by Kynosarges, a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught), from kyn-, kyōn dog + -ikos -ic — more at hound
1. usually capitalized : a member or follower of a school of philosophers founded by Antisthenes (born ab 444 B.C.) that taught that virtue is the only good, its essence lying in self-control and independence, and that later developed into a coarse opposition to social customs and current philosophical opinions — contrasted with Cyrenaic
2.
a. : one who holds views resembling those of the Cynics
b. : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest : a person who expects nothing but the worst of human conduct and motives : misanthrope
II. adjective
1. usually capitalized : of or relating to the Cynics : resembling the doctrines of the Cynics
2. : cynical
3.
[Greek kynikos ]
: like or like that of a dog — now used chiefly in the phrase cynic spasm