Main Entry: ¹ci·pher

Pronunciation: \ˈsī-fər\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr empty, cipher, zero

Date: 14th century

1 a : zero 1a b : one that has no weight, worth, or influence : nonentity
2 a : a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning — compare code 3b b : a message in code
3 : arabic numeral
4 : a combination of symbolic letters; especially : the interwoven initials of a name