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cipher

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

cipher

Main Entry:: ¹ci·pher
Pronunciation:: \ˈsī-fər\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often attributive
Etymology:: Middle English, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr empty, cipher, zero
Date:: 14th century

1 a: zero 1a b: one that has no weight, worth, or influence : nonentity2 a: a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning — compare code 3b b: a message in code3: arabic numeral4: a combination of symbolic letters ; especially : the interwoven initials of a name

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