|
| ci·pher [ sfər ] or cy·pher [ sfər ] |
noun (plural ci·phers) (plural cy·phers) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. written code: a written code in which the letters of a text are replaced with others according to a system
|
2. code key: the key to a cipher
|
3. text in code: a text written in cipher
|
4. design design of interlacing initials: a decorative design consisting of a set of interlaced initials
|
5. music fault in organ valve: a fault in an organ valve that causes a pipe to sound continuously without the key having been pressed
|
verb (past and past participle ci·phered, present participle ci·pher·ing, 3rd person present singular ci·phers) (past and past participle cy·phered, present participle cy·pher·ing, 3rd person present singular cy·phers) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. transitive verb write in code: to write a text or message in cipher
|
2. intransitive verb music sound owing to fault: to sound continuously because of a faulty valve
(
refers to organs or organ pipes
)
|
| [14th century. Via Old French cif(f)re< Arabic ṣifr "zero"] |
