Kynic
/ˈkɪnɪk/noun
A variant spelling of cynic, especially referring to a follower of the ancient Cynic school of philosophy.
Did you know?Ancient Cynics embraced the dog association because dogs were seen as shameless, free from convention, and boldly honest—qualities they claimed for themselves.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱwṓn
“Dog”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κύων (kyōn)
“Dog”
4th Century BCE
Greek
κυνικός (kynikos)
“Dog-like; associated with the Cynic philosophers”
1st Century BCE
Latin
cynicus
“Cynic; relating to the Cynic philosophical school”
16th Century
English
cynic
“A follower of the ancient Cynic school; later, a faultfinder”
Modern English
English
kynic
“A rare variant spelling of cynic”