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]