\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.

\Cyn"ic\, n. (Gr. Philos)
1. One of a sect or school of philosophers founded by
   Antisthenes, and of whom Diogenes was a disciple. The
   first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn
   for social customs and current philosophical opinions.
   Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment,
   moroseness, and contempt for the views of others.
2. One who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a
   snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who
   believes that human conduct is directed, either
   consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or
   self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are
   superficial and untrustworthy.
         He could obtain from one morose cynic, whose opinion
         it was impossible to despise, scarcely any not
         acidulated with scorn.                --Macaulay.