See Also: cynic(medicine)
cynic(dictionary)
cynic(dictionary)
cynic spasm(medicine)

inscience (iou) and cynic (iou)


inscience (iou)



inscience noun. Now rare. L16.
[Latin inscientia ignorance, formed as IN-3 + scientia knowledge: see SCIENCE.]
The condition of not knowing; ignorance.

cynic (iou)



cynic noun & adjective. M16.
[Latin cynicus adjective from Greek kunikos lit. 'doglike, churlish', prob. from Kunosarges gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but assoc. with kun-, kuon dog: see -IC.]
A. noun.
1. (Cynic.) Any of a sect of ancient-Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes (a pupil of Socrates), who had an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure. M16.
2. A cynical person; one who sarcastically doubts or despises human sincerity and merit. L16.
G. Meredith Cynics are only happy in making the world as barren to others as they have made it for themselves.
B. adjective.
1. a. = CYNICAL adjective 1. L16.
b. (Cynic.) Belonging to or characteristic of the sect of Cynics. M17.
2. Of or suggesting a dog; canicular. rare. E17.
cynicism noun (a) (Cynicism) the philosophy of the Cynics; (b) cynical disposition or quality: L17.
cynism noun (rare) [French cynisme] = cynicism M19.