English
cynical
Cynical comes from Classical Latin cynicus ‘Cynic/cynic’, from Ancient Greek κυνικός ‘doglike’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ ‘dog’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ḱwṓ‘dog’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκῠ́ωνkŭ́ōn‘a dog’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκυνικόςkunikós‘doglike’
- Classical Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcynicus‘Cynic/cynic’
- Englishearliest quotation 1755cynical
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ḱwṓ‘dog’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκῠ́ωνkŭ́ōn‘a dog’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκυνικόςkunikós‘doglike’
- Classical Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcynicus‘Cynic/cynic’
- Englishearliest quotation 1755cynical
Earliest quotation: 1755, Samuel Johnson: “I hope it is no very cynical asperity not…”
Formed from cynicus ‘Cynic/cynic’ + -al
The story
Originated 1542, from Classical Latin cynicus (“Cynic/cynic”, adjective) + -al.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *peḱ- ‘livestock’
fight, fellow, peculiar, fax, feudal, fawn, fain, 26 more
through Proto-Indo-European *péḱu ‘livestock’
fee, feud, feu, pec, pecuniary, 14 more
through Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ ‘dog’
Today it means
adj Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ / cynical