释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024ci•pher /ˈsaɪfɚ/USA pronunciation n. [countable]- Mathematics zero.
- Mathematicsany of the Arabic numerals or figures.
- a person or thing of little or no value;
nothing:was a mere cipher in that department. - Cryptography
- a secret method of writing, as by code:developed a cipher to use in communicating.
- writing done by such a method;
a coded message:We couldn't read the cipher.
- Cryptographythe key to a secret method of writing:She uncovered the cipher after days of analysis.
v. [~ + object] - Cryptographyto write in or as in cipher:ciphered messages.
Also, esp. Brit., ˈcy•pher. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024ci•pher (sī′fər),USA pronunciation n. - Mathematicszero.
- Mathematicsany of the Arabic numerals or figures.
- MathematicsArabic numerical notation collectively.
- something of no value or importance.
- a person of no influence;
nonentity. - Cryptographya secret method of writing, as by transposition or substitution of letters, specially formed symbols, or the like. Cf. cryptography.
- Cryptographywriting done by such a method;
a coded message. - Cryptographythe key to a secret method of writing.
- a combination of letters, as the initials of a name, in one design;
monogram. v.i. - Mathematicsto use figures or numerals arithmetically.
- Cryptographyto write in or as in cipher.
v.t. - Mathematicsto calculate numerically;
figure. - Cryptographyto convert into cipher.
Also,[esp. Brit.,] cypher. - Arabic ṣifr empty, zero; translation of Sanskrit śūnyā empty
- Medieval Latin ciphra
- Middle English siphre 1350–1400
ci′pher•a•ble, adj. ci′pher•er, n. |