wikipedia|Cipher (disambiguation)
English

Etymology
14th century. From OF. cyfre, cyffre (French chiffre), ultimately from Ar. ARchar|ص�ر (sifr) �zero, empty�, from ARchar|ص�ر (safara) �to be empty�. Compare zero.

Pronunciation
IPA|/�saɪf�/
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-aɪf�(r)|-aɪf�(r)

Noun
en-noun

1. A numeric character.
2. A method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning.

#: The message was written in a simple cipher. Anyone could figure it out.

1. crypto A cryptographic system using an algorithm that converts letter|letters or sequences of bit|bits into ciphertext.
2. ciphertext|Ciphertext; a message concealed via a cipher.

#: The message is clearly a cipher, but I can't figure it out.

1. A grouping of three digits in a number, especially when delimited by commas or periods:

#: The probability is 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000--a number having five ciphers of zeros.

1. A design of interlacing initials: a decorative design consisting of a set of interlaced initials. <!-- Taken from http://www.archivists.org/glossary/term_details.asp?DefinitionKey=181 Do we have permission? -->
2. music A fault in an organ valve which causes a pipe to sound continuously without the key having been pressed.
3. A hip-hop jam session ¹
4. The path (usually circular) shared cannabis takes through a group, an occasion of cannabis smoking.
5. dated Someone or something of no importance.

#: You are just a cipher to me.

1. obsolete zero|Zero.

Translations
trans-top|numeric character
Czech: �íslice f, cifra f
Finnish: numero
trans-mid
Swedish: t|sv|siffra|c
trans-bottom

trans-top|method for concealing the meaning of text
Czech: Å¡ifra f
Finnish: salakirjoitus
trans-mid
Swedish: t|sv|chiffer|n
trans-bottom

trans-top|cryptographic system using an algorithm
Czech: Å¡ifra f
Finnish: salakirjoitusjärjestelmä
trans-mid
Swedish: t|sv|chiffer|n
trans-bottom

trans-top|ciphertext
Finnish: salakirjoitusviesti
trans-mid
Swedish: t|sv|chiffer|n
trans-bottom

checktrans-top
<!--added ttbcs here.-->
ttbc|German: Chiffre f (1, 2), Geheimschrift f (1, 2), Ziffer f (3), Null f (5)
ttbc|Hungarian: jelentéktelen (5), nulla (5)
trans-mid
trans-bottom

Verb
en-verb

1. (regional and/or dated) To calculate.

#:I never learned much more than how to read and cipher.

Related terms
ciphertext
cypherpunk
decipher
encipher
zero

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• 2007-12-24 08:15 - SemperBlotto - Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/71.106.206.125|71.106.206.125]] ([[User_talk:71.106.206.125|Talk]]); changed back to last version by [[User:Mike|Mike]]

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