Synonyms for cipher

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : sahy-fer

Phonetic Transcription : ˈsaɪ fər

Top 10 synonyms for cipher

Other synonyms for the word cipher

Définition of cipher

Origin : late 14c., "arithmetical symbol for zero," from Old French cifre "nought, zero," Medieval Latin cifra, with Spanish and Italian cifra, ultimately from Arabic sifr "zero," literally "empty, nothing," from safara "to be empty;" loan-translation of Sanskrit sunya-s "empty." The word came to Europe with Arabic numerals. Originally in English "zero," then "any numeral" (early 15c.), then (first in French and Italian) "secret way of writing; coded message" (a sense first attested in English 1520s), because early codes often substituted numbers for letters. Klein says Modern French chiffre is from Italian cifra.

noun zero; nothingness
verb figure out code

Example sentences :

Better be forty-four and yourself, than a cipher belonging to some body else.
Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870 » by Various

He had been succeeded by MacMahon, a good, brave man, but a cipher.
Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt

He had received an elementary education; could read, write, and cipher.
Extract from : « The Downfall » by Emile Zola

No message in cipher, nor any that is at all questionable, must be sent or delivered.
Extract from : « The Destroyer » by Burton Egbert Stevenson

I told you the truth when I said that the cipher letter was an enigma to me.
Extract from : « The Crevice » by William John Burns and Isabel Ostrander

But that cipher had nothing whatever to do with his regard for her.
Extract from : « The Wall Street Girl » by Frederick Orin Bartlett

Some words in cipher followed, and an under-secretary's initials.
Extract from : « Lord Kilgobbin » by Charles Lever

A telegraphic despatch in cipher was put into his hands as he was reading.
Extract from : « Lord Kilgobbin » by Charles Lever

That they did learn the whereabouts of the cipher, however, we now realize only too well.
Extract from : « The Ivory Snuff Box » by Arnold Fredericks

"Boys, there is a chance for us to have a jolly time with Cipher," said Paul at recess.
Extract from : « Winning His Way » by Charles Carleton Coffin

Antonyms for cipher

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019