{ Cynic (s&ibreve_;n&ibreve_;k), Cynical (-&ibreve_;k&aitalic_;l), } a. [L. cynicus of the sect of Cynics, fr. Gr. kynikos, prop., dog-like, fr. kywn, kynos, 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.
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2. Pertaining to the Dog Star; as, the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle.
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3. Belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics.
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4. Given to sneering at rectitude and the conduct of life by moral principles; believing the worst of human nature and motives; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence; having a sneering disbelief in the selflessness of others; as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity; characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature.
Syn. -- misanthropic, misanthropical.
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&hand_; In prose, cynical is used rather than cynic, in the senses 1 and 4.
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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.
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