Cryptography
/krɪpˈtɒɡrəfi/noun
The practice or study of writing or solving codes and secret writing.
Did you know?Cryptography comes from Greek roots used for both “hidden” things and secret writing, so the same ancient idea of concealment powers everything from spy codes to modern encryption.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kryptós + gráphō
“hidden + I write”
Late Greek
Greek
kryptographía
“secret writing”
Late Latin
Latin
cryptographia
“secret writing”
16th Century
English
cryptographie
“secret or hidden writing”
Modern English
English
cryptography
“the practice and study of secret writing and code-making”
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