Cyph"o*nism (s?f`?-n?z'm ∨ 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.
© Webster 1913.