cynic: [16] Originally, the Cynics were a group of ascetic philosophers in ancient Greece. Their founder, around 400 BC, was Antisthenes, a follower of Socrates. They advocated the view that virtue and self-control are the highest good and, particularly under their later leader Diogenes, came to exhibit a contempt for the frailties of their fellow human beings that is traditionally said to have earned them their name: Greek kúōn meant ‘dog’ (it is related to English hound), and the philosophers were allegedly dubbed kunikós on account of their ‘dog-like’ sneering.
A more prosaic but more likely explanation of the term is that it comes from the Kunósarge, the gymnasium where Antisthenes taught (perhaps later influenced by kúōn). English acquired the word via Latin cynicus.
cynic (n.)
mid-16c., in reference to the ancient philosophy, from Greek kynikos "a follower of Antisthenes," literally "dog-like," from kyon (genitive kynos) "dog" (see canine). Supposedly from the sneering sarcasm of the philosophers, but more likely from Kynosarge "Gray Dog," name of the gymnasium outside ancient Athens (for the use of those who were not pure Athenians) where the founder, Antisthenes (a pupil of Socrates), taught. Diogenes was the most famous. Popular association even in ancient times was "dog-like" (Lucian has kyniskos "a little cynic," literally "puppy"). Meaning "sneering sarcastic person" is from 1590s.
雙語例句
1. I see myself not as a cynic but as a realist.
我覺得自己不是一個憤世嫉俗的人，而是一個現實主義者。
來自柯林斯例句
2. I have come to be very much of a cynic in these matters.
在這些事上我變得相當憤世嫉俗。
來自辭典例句
3. The poet was a cynic, said Glaucus, and hated women.
這是個玩世不恭的詩人, 格勞科斯說, 他痛恨女人.
來自辭典例句
4. Faber was cynic about the English.
費伯對英國的一切都看不上眼,簡直是一個憤世嫉俗者.
來自辭典例句
5. Coverdale is something of a professional cynic.