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cinismo

cynicism

noun chee-NEEZ-moh Rare

Origin: Greek kynismos, from kyon 'dog', the Cynic philosophers' emblem

Usage Note

Cinismo is an uncountable masculine noun in most uses; the plural cinismi appears when listing specific cynical attitudes. It is a false friend trap: Italian cinico / cinismo always carries a negative moral charge (lack of principle), never the neutral philosophical sense of the ancient Cynics. Beware also of cinese (Chinese), which sounds related but isn't.

Examples

"Il suo cinismo ha sorpreso tutti."

Natural Translation

His cynicism surprised everyone.

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