Found 1 items, similar to cipher key.
English → English (gcide) Definition: Cipher key Cipher \Ci"pher\, n. [OF. cifre zero, F. Chiffre figure (cf. Sp.cifra, LL. cifra), fr. Ar. [,c]ifrun, [,c]afrun, empty, cipher, zero, fr. [,c]afira 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]