Entom. [mod.L.; according to Darmesteter, formed by Linnæus from Gr. κυν- dog + ἷψ a kind of cynips, or insect that eats vine-buds, etc. (Others have thought it an alteration of late L. ciniphes, sciniphes, in Vulgate, Exod. viii. 16, rendering Gr. σκνίφες.) Also mod.F. cynips.]
The typical genus of the gall-flies, hymenopterous insects which puncture plants in order to deposit their eggs, and thus produce galls or gall-nuts.
Hence Cynipid, an insect of the Cynipidæ, or family allied to Cynips. Cynipidean, Cynipideous, Cynipidous adjs., of or pertaining to the Cynipidæ or gall-flies.
1777. J. Lightfoot, Flora Scotica, II. 583. Excrescencies occasioned by a small insect called Cynips.
1884. Athenæum, 15 Nov., 628/1. Oak-galls produced by cynipidean insects.
