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{ Cyn"ic (s&ibreve;n"&ibreve;k), Cyn"ic*al
(-&ibreve;*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.


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