Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: cynicus, from Greek kynikos 'like a dog', from kyon 'dog'

cynic

 noun
     
cyn‧ic [countable]
someone who is not willing to believe that people have good, honest, or sincere reasons for doing something:
Even hardened cynics believe the meeting is a step towards peace.
—cynicism noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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