Ci"pher (?), n. [OF. cifre zero, F. Chiffre figure (cf. Sp.cifra, LL. cifra), fr. Ar. ssifrun, ssafrun, empty, cipher, zero, fr. ssafira to be empty. Cf. Zero.]
1. Arith.
A character [0] which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold.
2.
One who, or that which, has no weight or influence.
Here he was a mere cipher.
W. Irving.
3.
A character in general, as a figure or letter.
[Obs.]
This wisdom began to be written in ciphers and characters and letters bearing the forms of creatures.
Sir W. Raleigh.
4.
A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device; a monogram; as, a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. The cut represents the initials N. W.
5.
A private alphabet, system of characters, or other mode of writing, contrived for the safe transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such characters.
His father . . . engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher.
Bp. Burnet.
Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.
© Webster 1913.
Ci"pher, a.
Of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence.
"Twelve
cipher bishops."
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Ci"pher, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ciphered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ciphering.]
To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.
"T was certain he could write and cipher too.
Goldsmith.
© Webster 1913.
Ci"pher, v. t.
1.
To write in occult characters.
His notes he ciphered with Greek characters.
Hayward.
2.
To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out the answer.
3.
To decipher.
[Obs.]
Shak.
4.
To designate by characters.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.