Cynicism definition

Etymology

Originated 1540–50 from Latin Cynicus (cynic philosopher) < Κυνικός (Kynikós) (literally doglike, currish) < κύων (dog) + -ικός; see .

The word may have first been applied to Cynics because of the nickname κύων kuōn (dog) given to the Diogenes of Sinope, the prototypical Cynic.

Proper noun

A member of a sect of ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.