Definition of Cynips
:a genus (the type of the family Cynipidae) of small gall wasps including a number that form galls on oaks
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Cynips
noun
Cyn·ips
\
ˈsinə̇ps
\
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Origin and Etymology of cynips
New Latin, probably from Latin cinyphes, cinyphum gnat, modification of Greek knips insect infesting fig and oak trees; akin to Greek sknips, a kind of small worm, Middle English nippen to nip
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