First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cipher
noun, ci·pher often attributive \ˈsī-fər\
: a way of changing a message to keep it secret
: a person who has no power or is not important
Full Definition of CIPHER
2
a : a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning — compare code 3b b : a message in code
3
4
: a combination of symbolic letters; especially : the interwoven initials of a name
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See cipher defined for kids
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Origin of CIPHER
Middle English, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr empty, cipher, zero
Related to CIPHER
Rhymes with CIPHER
2cipher
verb
ci·pheredci·pher·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of CIPHER
intransitive verb
: to use figures in a mathematical process
transitive verb
1
: encipher
2
: to compute arithmetically
First Known Use of CIPHER
circa 1530
CIPHER Defined for Kids
1cipher
noun ci·pher \ˈsī-fər\
Definition of CIPHER for Kids
1
: zero 1
2
: a method of secret writing or the alphabet or letters and symbols used in such writing
3
: a message in code
2cipher
verb
ci·pheredci·pher·ing
Definition of CIPHER for Kids
: to use figures in doing a problem in arithmetic : calculate
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