cipher

Meaning

Noun

1. A numeric character.
2. Any text character.
3. A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name.
4. A method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning.
5. A cryptographic system using an algorithm that converts letters or sequences of bits into ciphertext.
6. Ciphertext; a message concealed via a cipher.
7. A grouping of three digits in a number, especially when delimited by commas or periods
8. A fault in an organ valve which causes a pipe to sound continuously without the key having been pressed.
9. (slang) A hip-hop jam session.
10. (slang) The path (usually circular) shared cannabis takes through a group, an occasion of cannabis smoking.
11. Someone or something of no importance.
12. (dated) Zero.
13. Eggcorn of siphon.

Verb

1. (dated, intransitive, regional) To calculate.
2. (intransitive) To write in code or cipher.
3. (intransitive) Of an organ pipe: to sound independent of the organ.
4. (obsolete) To decipher.

Synonyms

cypher

code

zero

figure

digit

numeral

encrypt

nonentity

nought

encipher

nobody

cryptograph

nil

inscribe

number

🔢

naught

password

compute

goose egg

reckon

calculate

work out

zip

zippo

nothing

aught

write in code

nix

codify

zilch

cryptogram

encode

secret code

nada

lower

mask

😷

mediocrity

monogram

note

numerate

posit

put down

rack

scramble

secret

㊙️

set

sluice

squib

tap

trim down

Translations

cifra

cijfer

chiffrer

🔢

cifra

🔢

chiffre

Chiffre

Ziffer

cifrar

xifra

verschlüsseln

nummer

coder

zéro

0

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsaɪfə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: cifre

Cognate with French: chiffre

In summary

14th century. From Middle English cifre, from Old French cyfre, cyffre (French chiffre), ultimately from Arabic صِفْر (ṣifr, “zero, empty”), from صَفَرَ (ṣafara, “to be empty”). Doublet of chiffre and zero. Sense 8 (a fault in an organ valve) may be a different word.