Cimex
/ˈsaɪ.mɛks/noun
A genus of true bugs that includes bedbugs, especially the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius.
Did you know?In 1758, Carl Linnaeus formalized Cimex as a genus, preserving the ancient Roman name for the dreaded bedbug in scientific taxonomy.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
cimex
“A bug, especially a bedbug; the ancient Roman term for the blood-feeding insect.”
Late Latin
Latin
cimex
“A bedbug or similar small insect, continuing the Classical Latin usage.”
17th Century
English
cimex
“An English learned borrowing used in natural-history and medical writing for a bedbug.”
1758
Scientific Latin
Cimex
“Linnaeus established Cimex as a zoological genus in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae.”
Modern English
English
Cimex
“The genus name containing bedbugs, including Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus.”