cynhyena (sinhiena)

[ cynic (sin'ik), a. and n. [Earlier also cynick; = D. ciniek = F. cynique = Sp. cínico = Pg. cynico = It. cinico (cf. G. cynisch = Dan. cy nisk, adj., G. Dan. cyniker, D. ciniker, n.), chiefly in the philosophical sense, to the dog-star: as, the cynic year.-3. Belongs ing to the sect of philosophers called Cynics; resembling the doctrines of the Cynics. O foolishne of men! that lend their ears To those budge doctors of the Stoick fur, And fetch their precepts from the Cynick tub, Praising the lean and sallow abstinence! Milton , Comus, 1. 708. 4. Having the character or qualities of a cynic; cynical. Cynic spasm, a kind of convulsive spasm of the muscles of one side of the face, distorting the mouth, nose, etc., into the appearance of a grin. Cynic year, the Sothic year, or canicular year. See Sothic. II. n. 1. [ cap .] One of a sect of Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes of Athens (born about 444 в. с.), who soug sought to develop the ethical teachings of So crates, whose pupil he was. The chief doctrines of the Cynics were that virtue is the only good, that the e ence of virtue is self-control, and that pleasure is an evil if sought for its own sake. They were accordingly characterized by an ostentatious contempt of riches, arts, science, and amusements. The most famous Cynic was Diogenes of Sinope, a pupil of Antisthenes, who carried the doctrines of the school to an ex treme and ridiculous asceticism, and is improbably said to have slept in a tub which carried about him. 2. A person of a cynical temper; a sneering faultfinder. IMG:content-1937.jpg:[blocks in formation] Whether the bulk of our Irish natives are not kept from thriving, by that cynical content in dirt and beggary, which they po e to a degree beyond any other people.' Bp. Berkeley, Querist. 2. Having or showing a disposition to disbelieve in or doubt the sincerity or value of social usages or of personal character, motives, doings, and to expre or intimate the disbelief or doubt by sarcasm, satire, sneers, or other indirection; captious; carping; sarcastic; satirical: as, a cynical remark; a cynical smile. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confe obligations, where no benefit has been received. Johnson, To Chesterfield. =Syn. Pe imistic , etc. (see misanthropic ), morose, sarcastic, satirical, carping, censorious, snappish, waspish. cynically (sin'i-kal-i), adv . In a cynical, sarcastic, or sneering manner. Rather in a satire and cynically , than seriously and wisely. Bacon, Works, I. 176 (Ord MS.). cynicalne (sin'i-kal-nes), n. The quality of being cynical; a cynical disposition or character; tendency to despise or disregard the common amenities of life.