cipher
 ci·pher also cy·pher (sīʹfər)n.
1. The mathematical symbol (0) denoting absence of quantity; zero.
2. An Arabic numeral or figure; a number.
3. One having no influence or value; a nonentity.
4.
a. A cryptographic system in which units of plain text of regular length, usually letters, are arbitrarily transposed or substituted according to a predetermined code.
b. The key to such a system.
c. A message written or transmitted in such a system.
5. A design combining or interweaving letters or initials; a monogram.v. ci·phered, ci·pher·ing, ci·phersv. intr.
To solve problems in arithmetic; calculate. See Synonyms at calculate.v. tr.
1. To put in secret writing; encode.
2. To solve by means of arithmetic. [Middle English cifre, from Old French, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr, from ṣafira, to be empty (translation of Sanskrit śūnyam, cipher, dot). See ṣpr1 in Semitic Roots.]
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