cipher
noun
1. a message written in a secret code
Similar word(s): cypher
Definition categories: communication, message
2. a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
Similar word(s): cypher, nought, zero
Definition categories: quantity, digit, figure
3. a quantity of no importance
Similar word(s): aught, cypher, nada, naught, nil, nix, nothing, null, zero, zilch, zip, zippo
Definition categories: quantity
4. a person of no influence
Similar word(s): cypher, nobody, nonentity
Definition categories: person, commoner
5. a secret method of writing
Similar word(s): cryptograph, cypher
Definition categories: communication, code
Sentences with cipher as a noun:
- a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc.
- The message was written in a simple cipher. Anyone could figure it out.
- The message is clearly a cipher, but I can't figure it out.
- The probability is 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000 — a number having five ciphers of zeros.
verb
1. convert ordinary language into code
Similar word(s): code, cypher, encipher, encrypt, inscribe
Definition categories: communication, encode
2. make a mathematical calculation or computation
Similar word(s): reckon, calculate, compute, cypher, figure, reckon
Definition categories: cognition, reason
Sentences with cipher as a verb:
- I never learned much more than how to read and cipher.