cipher
Cross references:
1. code
1. ci.pher \'si--f*r\ n [ME, fr. MF cifre, fr. ML cifra, fr. Ar
ssub-dot>ifr] often attrib empty, cipher, zero 1a: the symbol 0 denoting
the absence of all magnitude or quantity : Z ERO 1b: an insignificant
individual : NONENTITY 2a: a method of transforming a text in order to
conceal its meaning 2b: a message in code 3: an Arabic numeral 4: a
combination of symbolic letters; esp : the interwoven initials of a name
2. cipher \-f(*-)rin\ vb or ci.pher.ing : to use figures in a mathematical
process 1: ENCIPHER 2: to compute arithmetically