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cynical |
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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