ciphers

5 definitions • 5 examples

a system of writing that prevents most people from understanding the message:

The message was written in cipher.

a person or group of people without power, but used by others for their own purposes, or someone who is not important:

The interim government is a mere cipher for military rule.

a zero:

If you have no children, enter a cipher in the space on the form.

a system of writing that most people cannot understand, so that the message is secret; a code:

We spent a lot of time figuring out the enemy’s cipher.

a zero, or a person or thing that has no value or importance:

In the hands of a lesser actor, the role could have easily been a cipher.