2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Cynic  \Cyn"ic\  (s[i^]n"[i^]k),  Cynical  \Cyn"ic*al\  (-[i^]*kal), 
  a.  [L.  cynicus  of  the  sect  of  Cynics,  fr  Gr  kyniko`s, 
  prop.,  dog-like,  fr  ky`wn,  kyno`s,  dog.  See  {Hound}.] 
  1.  Having  the  qualities  of  a  surly  dog;  snarling;  captious; 
  currish. 
 
  I  hope  it  is  no  very  cynical  asperity  not  to  confess 
  obligations  where  no  benefit  has  been  received. 
  --Johnson. 
 
  2.  Pertaining  to  the  Dog  Star;  as  the  cynic,  or  Sothic, 
  year;  cynic  cycle. 
 
  3.  Belonging  to  the  sect  of  philosophers  called  cynics; 
  having  the  qualities  of  a  cynic;  pertaining  to  or 
  resembling,  the  doctrines  of  the  cynics. 
 
  4.  Given  to  sneering  at  rectitude  and  the  conduct  of  life  by 
  moral  principles;  disbelieving  in  the  reality  of  any  human 
  purposes  which  are  not  suggested  or  directed  by 
  self-interest  or  self-indulgence;  as  a  cynical  man  who 
  scoffs  at  pretensions  of  integrity;  characterized  by  such 
  opinions;  as  cynical  views  of  human  nature. 
 
  Note:  In  prose,  cynical  is  used  rather  than  cynic,  in  the 
  senses  1  and  4. 
 
  {Cynic  spasm}  (Med.),  a  convulsive  contraction  of  the  muscles 
  of  one  side  of  the  face,  producing  a  sort  of  grin, 
  suggesting  certain  movements  in  the  upper  lip  of  a  dog. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  cynical 
  adj  :  believing  the  worst  of  human  nature  and  motives;  having  a 
  sneering  disbelief  in  e.g.  selflessness  of  others  [syn: 
  {misanthropic},  {misanthropical}] 

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