cipher Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a message written in a secret code
    cypher.
  2. noun a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
    0; zero; nought; cypher.
  3. noun a quantity of no importance
    cypher; aught; zip; nil; nada; zero; nix; zilch; goose egg; zippo; nothing; naught; null.
    • it looked like nothing I had ever seen before
    • reduced to nil all the work we had done
    • we racked up a pathetic goose egg
    • it was all for naught
    • I didn't hear zilch about it
  4. noun a person of no influence
    nobody; nonentity; cypher.
  5. noun a secret method of writing
    secret code; cryptograph; cypher.
  6. verb convert ordinary language into code
    encipher; code; encrypt; write in code; cypher; inscribe.
    • We should encode the message for security reasons
  7. verb make a mathematical calculation or computation
    cypher; compute; calculate; work out; reckon; figure.

WordNet

Ci"pher noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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 cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. The cut represents the initials N. W.
  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.
Ci"pher adjective
Definitions
  1. Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence. "Twelve cipher bishops." Milton.
Ci"pher intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ciphered ; present participle & verbal noun Ciphering
Definitions
  1. To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.
    "T was certain he could write and cipher too. Goldsmith.
Ci"pher transitive verb
Definitions
  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 1913