(Cyphonismus), from κυφων, which has various significations; derived from κυφες, crooked; a kind of torture or punishment in use among the ancients.

The learned are at a loss to determine what it was. Some will have it to be that mentioned by Jerome in his Life of Paul the Hermit, chap. 2, which consisted in smearing the body over with honey, and thus exposing the person, with his hands tied, to the warm sun, to invite the flies and other vermin to persecute him.