The mathematical symbol (0) denoting absence of quantity; zero.
An Arabic numeral or figure; a number.
One having no influence or value; a nonentity.
A cryptographic system in which units of plain text of regular length, usually letters, are arbitrarily transposed or substituted according to a predetermined code.
The key to such a system.
A message written or transmitted in such a system.
A design combining or interweaving letters or initials; a monogram.
v.
ci·phered also cy·phered, ci·pher·ing also cy·pher·ing, ci·phers also cy·phers
v.
intr. To solve problems in arithmetic; calculate. See Synonyms at calculate. v.
tr.
To put in secret writing; encode.
To solve by means of arithmetic.
[Middle English cifre, from Old French, from Medieval Latin cifra, from Arabic ṣifr, from ṣafira, to be empty (translation of Sanskrit śūnyam, cipher, dot); see ṣpr1 in Semitic roots.]
[sahy-fer] 
