CIPHER • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Cipher

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/sˈaɪfər/ Listen

noun

Cipher n.

(Arith.) A character (0) which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold.

One who, or that which, has no weight or influence. "Here he was a mere cipher."

A character in general, as a figure or letter. (Obs.) "This wisdom began to be written in ciphers and characters and letters bearing the forms of creatures."

A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device; a monogram; as, a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. The cut represents the initials N. W.

A private alphabet, system of characters, or other mode of writing, contrived for the safe transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such characters. "His father... engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher."

Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.

verb

Cipher v. t.

To write in occult characters. "His notes he ciphered with Greek characters."

To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out the answer.

To decipher. (Obs.)

To designate by characters. (Obs.)

Cipher v. i. (past & past part. ciphered; pres. part. ciphering) To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic. "'T was certain he could write and cipher too."

adjective

Cipher adj. Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence. "Twelve cipher bishops."

See images of 'Cipher'

Etymology of 'Cipher'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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