cipher

n. [ OF. cifre zero, F. Chiffre figure (cf. Sp.cifra, LL. cifra), fr. Ar. çifrun, çafrun, empty, cipher, zero, fr. çafira to be empty. Cf. Zero. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who, or that which, has no weight or influence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here he was a mere cipher. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A character in general, as a figure or letter. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This wisdom began to be written in ciphers and characters and letters bearing the forms of creatures. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

His father . . . engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher. [ 1913 Webster ]