Cynic

See also: cynic and cynić

English

Etymology

First used in English around 1540–50. From Latin Cynicus (cynic philosopher), from Ancient Greek Κυνικός (Kunikós, from κύων (kúōn, “dog”, see Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ) +‎ -ικός (-ikós), literally “doglike, currish”). The word may have first been applied to Cynics because of the nickname κύων (kúōn, “dog”) given to Diogenes of Sinope, the prototypical Cynic.

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ɪnɪk

Noun

Cynic (plural Cynics)

  1. A member of a sect of Ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.

Translations

Adjective

Cynic (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to the Cynics.

Translations

References

Anagrams

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