Cipher
[SY-fər]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Arabic, 14th century
1.
A secret or disguised way of writing; a code.
2.
A monogram.
Examples of Cipher in a sentence
"The twins developed their own cipher, a secret code for keeping notes hidden from their parents."
"Their wedding registry was filled with linens marked with their new cipher. "
About Cipher
The Arabic word “ṣifr” means "zero," or "empty." It was borrowed into Old French as "cifre" and late Middle English as "cipher," both meaning "symbol for zero."
Did you Know?
Cipher is a flexible noun that can refer to many things: a numeric or text character, a mark of interweaving characters (a monogram), a method of concealing text, a cryptography system, a secret message, a feature on a musical organ, or even a hip-hop jam session. It can also be used as a verb, meaning "put (a message) into secret writing" or "do arithmetic."
