ˈsid. ə l(ˌ)ē noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin scytale, scytala, scutula, from Greek skytalē staff, cylinder, message
1. : a method of cipher writing used especially by the Spartans in which a narrow strip of parchment was wound on a rod and the message written across the adjoining edges
2.
a. : a message written in the scytale cipher
b. : a parchment bearing such a message