sb. pl. Obs. Also cinifes. A word taken over from the Vulgate [repr. Gr. σκνίφες, pl. of σκνίψ, of the LXX.], where it is applied to the insects which constituted the third plague of Egypt (Exod. viii. 17); variously supposed to be gnats, lice, fleas.
a. 1571. Jewel, On Joshua, vi. 1–3. 980. The Ciniphes were but little, yet they are reckoned among the great plagues of God.
1609. Bible (Douay), Ps. civ. 31. And the cinifes in al their coastes.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Ciniph, a gnat.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., II. x. § 10. 358. In turning the dust into Ciniphes [v.r. Ciphinies] (which we render lice). [Bailey has ‘ciniphes.’]
