‖ cimex
(ˈsaɪmɛks)
Pl. cimices. Also ? 6–7 cimice, 7 chimice, cimisse, cimise.
[a. L. cīmex, pl. cīmices, or its It. repr. cimice; cf. chinch. The pl. cimices may belong to either cimex or cimice.]
A bed-bug. Now only (in form Cimex) as the entomological name of the genus.
| 1585 Lloyd Treas. Health S iij, The smale stynkynge wormes that brede in paper or wod called Cimices. 1616 Bullokar, Cimisse, a noysome little worme flat and red which raiseth wheals where it biteth: If it bee broken it yieldeth a stinking smell. 1626 Bacon Sylva §696 Cimices are found in the holes of Bedsides. 1658 J. Rowland Moufet's Theat. Ins. 999 The stinking Beetle some confound with the Cimex or Wall-louse. a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams ii. 182 When wars broke out, they crept out of their crannies, like the cimici, in the houses of Italy. a 1706 Evelyn Mem. (1819) I. 201 Bedsteads..of forged iron gilded, since it is impossible to keepe the wooden ones from ye Chimices. |