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ci·pher also cy·pher  (sīfər)
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Tweet n. 1. The mathematical symbol (0) denoting absence of quantity; zero. 2. An Arabic numeral or figure; a number. 3. One having no influence or value; a nonentity. 4. a. A cryptographic system in which units of text of regular length, usually letters, are transposed or substituted according to a predetermined code. b. The key to such a system. c. A message written or transmitted in such a system. 5. A design combining or interweaving letters or initials; a monogram. v. ci·phered, ci·pher·ing, ci·phers also cy·phered or cy·pher·ing or cy·phered v.intr. To solve problems in arithmetic; calculate. v.tr. 1. To put in secret writing; encode. 2. To solve by means of arithmetic. [Middle English cifre, from Old French, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr, from ṣafira, to be empty (translation of Sanskrit śūnyam, cipher, dot); see ṣpr1 in the Appendix of Semitic roots.] |
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