{ Cyn"ic (s&ibreve;n"&ibreve;k), Cyn"ic*al (-&ibreve;*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.

&fist; In prose, cynical is used rather than cynic, in the senses 1 and 4.

• Tending not to believe in the integrity or sincerity of others.
  
• Skeptical.
  
• Contemptuous; mocking.
  
• Concerned only with one's own interests.