[f. CYNIC + -ISM. Cf. CYNISM.]
1. (with capital C.) The philosophy of the Cynics: see CYNIC B 1.
1672. Sir T. Browne, Lett. to Friend, xxiv. (1881), 143. Yet his sober contempt of the world wrought no Democritism or Cynicism, no laughing or snarling at it.
1868. trans. Zeller’s Socrates, 268. The leading thought of Cynicism is the self-sufficiency of virtue.
2. Cynical disposition, character or quality.
1672. [see 1].
1847. Lytton, Lucretia (1853), 152. The cynicism of his measured vice.
1881. P. Brooks, Candle of Lord, 150. The bitter cynicism of the newspaper satirist.
b. An instance of cynicism; a cynical utterance.
1891. Spectator, 20 June, 847/1. That he had uttered his dangerous cynicisms.
