Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cipher
Ci′pher
,Noun.
[OF.
cifre
zero, F. Chiffre
figure (cf. Sp.cifra
, LL. cifra
), fr. Ar. çifrun
, çafrun
, empty, cipher, zero, fr. çafira
to be empty. Cf. Zero
.] 1.
(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.
2.
One who, or that which, has no weight or influence.
Here he was a mere cipher.
W. Irving.
3.
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. Sir W. Raleigh.
4.
A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device; a monogram;
as, a painter’s
The cut represents the initials N. W. cipher
, an engraver's cipher
, etc. 5.
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
. Bp. Burnet.
Cipher key
, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.
Ci′pher
,Adj.
Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence.
“Twelve cipher bishops.” Milton.
Ci′pher
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ciphered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ciphering
.] To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.
'T was certain he could write and
cipher
too. Goldsmith.
Ci′pher
,Verb.
T.
1.
To write in occult characters.
His notes he
ciphered
with Greek characters. Hayward.
2.
To get by ciphering;
as, to cipher out the answer
. 3.
To decipher.
[Obs.]
Shak.
4.
To designate by characters.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cipher
CIPHER
, n.1.
In arithmetic, an Arabian or Oriental character, of this form 0, which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but increases or diminishes the value of other figures, according to its position. In whole numbers, when placed at the right hand of a figure, it increases its value ten fold; but in decimal fractions, placed at the left hand of a figure, it diminishes the value of that figure ten fold.2.
A character in general.3.
An intertexture of letters, as the initials of a name, engraved on a seal, box, plate, coach or tomb; a device; an enigmatical character. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen, not being permitted to bear family arms, bore, in lieu of them, their cyphers, or initials of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross.4.
A secret or disguised manner of writing; certain characters arbitrarily invented and agreed on by two or more persons, to stand for letters or words, and understood only by the persons who invent, or agree to use them. This is a mode of communicating information by letters, in time of war, with a view to conceal facts from an enemy, in case the letters should be intercepted. This art has given rise to another art, that of decyphering; and hence cipher is used for a key to unravel the characters. To have, or to learn a cipher, is to be able to interpret it.CIPHER
,Verb.
I.
CIPHER
, v.t.1.
To write in occult characters.2.
To designate; to characterize.