{ } 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Pertaining to the Dog Star; as, the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ In prose, cynical is used rather than cynic, in the senses 1 and 4. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Variants: Cynic | 
