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Entry 11 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Cipher

/sī′-fər/ · Ci·pher · IPA /ˈsaɪfɚ/
01 n. A character [0] which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold.
  1. 1.
    A character [0] which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold.(Arith.)
  2. 2.
    One who, or that which, has no weight or influence.
    “Here he was a mere cipher.” — W. Irving.
  3. 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. 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. 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.
Phrases & compounds
Cipher key — a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.
02 a. Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence.
  1. 1.
    Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence.
03 v. i. To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.
imp. & p. p. Ciphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Ciphering
  1. 1.
    To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.
    “'T was certain he could write and cipher too.” — Goldsmith.
04 v. t. To write in occult characters.
  1. 1.
    To write in occult characters.
    “His notes he ciphered with Greek characters.” — Hayward.
  2. 2.
    To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out the answer.
  3. 3.
    To decipher.[Obs.]
  4. 4.
    To designate by characters.[Obs.]