• (n.) 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. Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/cyphonism/
Cyph'o·nism noun [ Greek ............, from ............ a crooked piece of wood, a sort of pillory, from ......... 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 nati... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/C/211