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1828.mshaffer.com › Word [cipher]
CIPHER, n. 1. In arithmetic, an Arabian or Oriental character, of this form 0, which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but increases or diminishes the value of other figures, according to its position. In whole numbers, when placed at the right hand of a figure, it increases its value ten fold; but in decimal fractions, placed at the left hand of a figure, it diminishes the value of that figure ten fold.2. A character in general.3. An intertexture of letters, as the initials of a name, engraved on a seal, box, plate, coach or tomb; a device; an enigmatical character. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen, not being permitted to bear family arms, bore, in lieu of them, their cyphers, or initials of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross.4. A secret or disguised manner of writing; certain characters arbitrarily invented and agreed on by two or more persons, to stand for letters or words, and understood only by the persons who invent, or agree to use them. This is a mode of communicating information by letters, in time of war, with a view to conceal facts from an enemy, in case the letters should be intercepted. This art has given rise to another art, that of decyphering; and hence cipher is used for a key to unravel the characters. To have, or to learn a cipher, is to be able to interpret it.CIPHER, v.i. In popular language, to use figures, or to practice arithmetic. CIPHER, v.t. 1. To write in occult characters.2. To designate; to characterize.
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Evolution (or devolution) of this word [cipher]
| 1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
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CIPHER, n. 1. In arithmetic, an Arabian or Oriental character, of this form 0, which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but increases or diminishes the value of other figures, according to its position. In whole numbers, when placed at the right hand of a figure, it increases its value ten fold; but in decimal fractions, placed at the left hand of a figure, it diminishes the value of that figure ten fold.2. A character in general.3. An intertexture of letters, as the initials of a name, engraved on a seal, box, plate, coach or tomb; a device; an enigmatical character. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen, not being permitted to bear family arms, bore, in lieu of them, their cyphers, or initials of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross.4. A secret or disguised manner of writing; certain characters arbitrarily invented and agreed on by two or more persons, to stand for letters or words, and understood only by the persons who invent, or agree to use them. This is a mode of communicating information by letters, in time of war, with a view to conceal facts from an enemy, in case the letters should be intercepted. This art has given rise to another art, that of decyphering; and hence cipher is used for a key to unravel the characters. To have, or to learn a cipher, is to be able to interpret it.CIPHER, v.i. In popular language, to use figures, or to practice arithmetic. CIPHER, v.t. 1. To write in occult characters.2. To designate; to characterize. |
CI'PHER, n. [Fr. chiffre; Arm. chyfr or cyfr; It. cifera or cifra; Sp. and Port. cifra; D. cyffer; G. ziffer; Dan. ciffer; Sw. ziffra; Russ. tsiphir; Ar. صِفْْرٌ siforon, empty, and a cipher.]- In arithmetic, an Arabian or Oriental character, of this form 0, which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but increases or diminishes the value of other figures, according to its position. In whole numbers, when placed at the right hand of a figure, it increases its value ten fold; but in decimal fractions, placed at the left hand of a figure, it diminishes the value of that figure ten fold.
- A character in general. – Ralegh.
- An intertexture of letters, as the initials of a name, engraved on a seal, box, plate, coach or tomb; a device; an enigmatical character. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen, not being permitted to bear family arms, bore, in lieu of them, their ciphers, or initials of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross. – Encyc.
- A secret or disguised manner of writing; certain characters arbitrarily invented and agreed on by two or more persons, to stand for letters or words, and understood only by the persons who invent, or agree to use them. This is a mode of communicating information by letters, in time of war, with a view to conceal facts from an enemy, in case the letters should be intercepted. This art has given rise to another art, that of deciphering; and hence cipher is used for a key to unravel the characters. To have, or to learn a cipher, is to be able to interpret it.
CI'PHER, v.i.In popular language, to use figures, or to practice arithmetic.
CI'PHER, v.t.- To write in occult characters. – Hayward.
- To designate; to characterize. – Shak.
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Ci"pher
- A character [0] which,
standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the
right hand of a whole number, increases its value
tenfold.
- Of the nature of a
cipher; of no weight or influence.
- To use figures in a
mathematical process] to do sums in arithmetic.
- To write in occult characters.
- One who, or that which, has no weight
or influence.
- To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out
the answer.
- A character in general, as a figure or
letter.
- To decipher.
- 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.
- To designate by characters.
- A private alphabet, system of
characters, or other mode of writing, contrived for the safe
transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such
characters.
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| 1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
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Cipher CIPHER, noun 1. In arithmetic, an Arabian or Oriental character, of this form 0, which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but increases or diminishes the value of other figures, according to its position. In whole numbers, when placed at the right hand of a figure, it increases its value ten fold; but in decimal fractions, placed at the left hand of a figure, it diminishes the value of that figure ten fold. 2. A character in general. 3. An intertexture of letters, as the initials of a name, engraved on a seal, box, plate, coach or tomb; a device; an enigmatical character. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen, not being permitted to bear family arms, bore, in lieu of them, their cyphers, or initials of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross. 4. A secret or disguised manner of writing; certain characters arbitrarily invented and agreed on by two or more persons, to stand for letters or words, and understood only by the persons who invent, or agree to use them. This is a mode of communicating information by letters, in time of war, with a view to conceal facts from an enemy, in case the letters should be intercepted. This art has given rise to another art, that of decyphering; and hence cipher is used for a key to unravel the characters. To have, or to learn a cipher is to be able to interpret it. CIPHER, verb intransitive In popular language, to use figures, or to practice arithmetic. CIPHER, verb transitive 1. To write in occult characters. 2. To designate; to characterize. |
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331 |
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511 |
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312 |
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217 |
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264 |
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179 |
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* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
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