Cyphonism

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cyphonism \Cyph"o*nism\ (s?f`?-n?z'm or s?"f?-), n. [Gr. ????,
     fr. ???? a crooked piece of wood, a sort of pillory, fr. ???
     bent, stooping.]
     A punishment sometimes used by the ancients, consisting in
     the besmearing of the criminal with honey, and exposing him
     to insects. It is still in use among some Oriental nations.


     [1913 Webster]