{ Cyn″ic (sĭn″ĭk), Cyn″ic‐al (–ĭ‐kal), } a. [L. cynicus of the sect of Cynics, fr. Gr. κυνικόσ, prop., dog-like, fr. κύων, κυνόσ, 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.
☞ 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.