Ciphers
/ˈsaɪfərz/noun
Plural of cipher: a secret or disguised way of writing, or a zero.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Arabic ṣifr, meaning “empty” or “zero,” and entered Europe through the mathematical and mystical prestige of Arabic numerals.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
PS
ṣfr
“to be empty or lacking”
Arabic
AR
ṣifr
“zero; empty”
Medieval Latin
ML
cifra
“zero; cipher”
Old French
OF
cifre
“zero; secret numeral”
Middle English
EN
cipher
“zero; secret writing”
Modern English
EN
ciphers
“secret codes or zeros”