CIPHER


Meaning of CIPHER in English

n. & v. (also cypher)

--n.

1. a a secret or disguised way of writing. b a thing written in this way. c the key to it.

2 the arithmetical symbol (0) denoting no amount but used to occupy a vacant place in decimal etc. numeration (as in 12.05).

3 a person or thing of no importance.

4 the interlaced initials of a person or company etc.; a monogram.

5 any Arabic numeral.

6 continuous sounding of an organ-pipe, caused by a mechanical defect.

--v.

1. tr. put into secret writing, encipher.

2 a tr. (usu. foll. by out) work out by arithmetic, calculate. b intr. archaic do arithmetic.

Etymology: ME, f. OF cif(f)re, ult. f. Arab sifr ZERO

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.