Cipher key

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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cipher key — noun A key to a cipher or piece of secret writing • • • Main Entry: ↑cipher …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Key schedule — In cryptography, the so called product ciphers are a certain kind of ciphers, where the (de )ciphering of data is done in rounds . The general setup of each round is the same, except for some hard coded parameters and a part of the cipher key,… …   Wikipedia

  • key word — noun 1. a word that is used as a pattern to decode an encrypted message • Hypernyms: ↑key 2. a significant word used in indexing or cataloging • Hypernyms: ↑word • Part Holonyms: ↑index * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

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  • cipher — [sī′fər] n. [ME cifre < OFr cyfre < ML cifra < Ar ṣifr, ṣefr, a cipher, nothing < ṣafara, to be empty] 1. the symbol 0, indicating a value of zero 2. a person or thing of no importance or value 3. a) a system of secret writing based… …   English World dictionary

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  • Key Wrap — constructions are a class of symmetric encryption algorithms designed to encapsulate (encrypt) cryptographic key material. The Key Wrap algorithms are intended for applications such as (a) protecting keys while in untrusted storage, or (b)… …   Wikipedia

  • key — Ⅰ. key [1] ► NOUN (pl. keys) 1) a small piece of shaped metal which is inserted into a lock and rotated to open or close it. 2) an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut. 3) a lever depressed by the finger in playing an… …   English terms dictionary

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