'Cipher' definitions:

Definition of 'cipher'

From: WordNet
noun
A message written in a secret code [syn: cipher, cypher]
noun
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number [syn: zero, 0, nought, cipher, cypher]
noun
A quantity of no importance; "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" [syn: nothing, nil, nix, nada, null, aught, cipher, cypher, goose egg, naught, zero, zilch, zip, zippo]
noun
A person of no influence [syn: cipher, cypher, nobody, nonentity]
noun
A secret method of writing [syn: cipher, cypher, cryptograph, secret code]
verb
Convert ordinary language into code; "We should encode the message for security reasons" [syn: code, encipher, cipher, cypher, encrypt, inscribe, write in code]
verb
Make a mathematical calculation or computation [syn: calculate, cipher, cypher, compute, work out, reckon, figure]

Definition of 'Cipher'

From: GCIDE
  • Cipher \Ci"pher\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ciphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Ciphering.] To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic. [1913 Webster]
  • 'T was certain he could write and cipher too. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cipher'

From: GCIDE
  • Cipher \Ci"pher\, v. t.
  • 1. To write in occult characters. [1913 Webster]
  • His notes he ciphered with Greek characters. --Hayward. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out the answer. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To decipher. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To designate by characters. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cipher'

From: GCIDE
  • Cipher \Ci"pher\, n. [OF. cifre zero, F. Chiffre figure (cf. Sp.cifra, LL. cifra), fr. Ar. [,c]ifrun, [,c]afrun, empty, cipher, zero, fr. [,c]afira to be empty. Cf. Zero.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. One who, or that which, has no weight or influence. [1913 Webster]
  • Here he was a mere cipher. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A character in general, as a figure or letter. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • This wisdom began to be written in ciphers and characters and letters bearing the forms of creatures. --Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • His father . . . engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher. --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]
  • Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Cipher'

From: GCIDE
  • Cipher \Ci"pher\, a. Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence. "Twelve cipher bishops." --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'cipher'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Cipher'