Cynegetics
(Cyn`e*get"ics) n. [Gr. kynhgetikh` fr. kynhge`ths hunter; ky`wn, kyno`s, dog + to lead.]
The art of hunting with dogs.
Cynic
(Cyn"ic Cyn"ic*al) 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.
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.
Cynic
(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.
Cynically
(Cyn"ic*al*ly) adv. In a cynical manner.
Cynicalness
(Cyn"ic*al*ness), n. The quality of being cynical.
Cynicism
(Cyn"i*cism) n. The doctrine of the Cynics; the quality of being cynical; the mental state, opinions,
or conduct, of a cynic; morose and contemptuous views and opinions.
Cynoidea
(||Cy*noi"de*a) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. a dog + -oid.] (Zoöl.) A division of Carnivora, including the
dogs, wolves, and foxes.
Cynorexia
(||Cyn`o*rex"i*a) n. [NL., fr. Gr. dog + appetite. ] (Med.) A voracious appetite, like that of a
starved dog.
Cynosural
(Cy`no*su"ral) a. Of or pertaining to a cynosure.
Cynosure
(Cy"no*sure) n. [L. Cynosura theconstellation Cynosure, Gr. dog's tail, the constellation
Cynosure; dog + tail. SeeCynic.]
