| 释义 |
cynical, a.|ˈsɪnɪkəl|
[f. as prec. + -al1.]
1. Resembling the Cynic philosophers in contempt of pleasure, churlishness, or disposition to find fault; characteristic of a cynic; surly, currish, misanthropic, captious; now esp. disposed to disbelieve in human sincerity or goodness; sneering.
1588Greene Pandosto (1607) 24 Canst thou not loue? Commeth this Cynicall passion of prone desires, or peeuish frowardnes? 1615J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. (ed. 2) 43 They seeke..To be accounted sharpe and Cynicall. 1670P. Henry Diaries & Lett. (1882) 225 In lodging, diet, apparel, cynical below the calling of a Gospel minister. 1814D'Israeli Quarrels Auth. (1867) 440 Our cynical Hobbes had no respect for his species. 1875Farrar Silence & V. iii. 65 A cynical journalism which sneered at every belief.
†2. Belonging to the sect of Cynic philosophers; = cynic a. 1. Obs. rare.
1675Otway Alcibiades 33 Let the Cynical fool call pleasure a toy.
3. With etymological allusion: Relating to a dog; dog-like.
1616Bullokar, Cynicall, doggish. c1645Howell Lett. (1650) III. 27 Besides this Cinicall, ther is a kind of Wolvish humor hath seizd upon most of this peeple. 1869Sir G. Bowyer in Times Sept., Writing..in ‘ecclesiastical Latin’ (to which a more cynical name might be given). |
