cipher
A cipher is a secret code, usually one that’s created using a mathematical algorithm. Sometimes the message written in code is itself called a cipher.
Cipher comes from the Arabic sifr, which means “nothing” or “zero.” The word came to Europe along with the Arabic numeral system. As early codes substituted numerals for letters to hide the word’s meaning, codes became known as ciphers. If you crack a cipher, you break the code and can understand the message. From its “zero” meaning, cipher can also be used for a person who has no influence or importance in the world.
a secret method of writing
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synonyms:
cryptograph, cypher, secret code-
type of:
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codea coding system used for transmitting messages requiring brevity or secrecy
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code
a message written in a secret code
convert ordinary language into code
a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
a quantity of no importance
a person of no influence
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types:
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pip-squeak, small fry, squirtsomeone who is small and insignificant
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jackanapes, lightweight, whippersnappersomeone who is unimportant but cheeky and presumptuous
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type of:
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common man, common person, commonera person who holds no title
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pip-squeak, small fry, squirt
make a mathematical calculation or computation
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work outbe calculated
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types:
- show 40 types…
- hide 40 types…
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quantise, quantizeapply quantum theory to; restrict the number of possible values of (a quantity) or states of (a physical entity or system) so that certain variables can assume only certain discrete magnitudes that are integral multiples of a common factor
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extractcalculate the root of a number
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processperform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information
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proratedivide or assess proportionally
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miscalculate, misestimatecalculate incorrectly
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recalculatecalculate anew
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average, average outcompute the average of
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factor, factor in, factor outresolve into factors
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add, add togethermake an addition by combining numbers
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deduct, subtract, take offmake a subtraction
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multiplycombine by multiplication
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divide, fractionperform a division
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extrapolate, interpolateestimate the value of
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differentiatecalculate a derivative; take the derivative
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integratecalculate the integral of; calculate by integration
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surveyplot a map of (land)
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approximate, estimate, gauge, guess, judgejudge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
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budgetmake a budget
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capitalise, capitalizecompute the present value of a business or an income
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resolve, solvefind the solution
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squareraise to the second power
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cuberaise to the third power
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foot, foot upadd a column of numbers
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carry backdeduct a loss or an unused credit from taxable income for a prior period
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raisemultiply (a number) by itself a specified number of times: 8 is 2 raised to the power 3
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halvedivide by two; divide into halves
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quarterdivide by four; divide into quarters
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triangulatesurvey by triangulation
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quantise, quantizeapproximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of discrete values
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misgaugegauge something incorrectly or improperly
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place, put, setestimate
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giveestimate the duration or outcome of something
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lowball, underestimatemake a deliberately low estimate
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assessestimate the value of (property) for taxation
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makecalculate as being
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count, reckontake account of
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overcapitalise, overcapitalizeestimate the capital value of (a company) at an unreasonably or unlawfully high level
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factorise, factorizeresolve (a polynomial) into factors
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truncateapproximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one
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guesstimateestimate based on a calculation
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type of:
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reasonthink logically
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work out