CIPHER, or CYPHER, one of the Arabic characters
or figures used in computation, formed thus, 0. See
ARITHMETIC.
CIPHER is also a kind of enigmatic character, com-
posed of several letters interwoven, which are gene-
rally the initial letters of the persons names for whom
the ciphers are intended. These are frequently used
on seals, coaches, and other moveables.—Anciently,
merchants and tradesmen were not allowed to bear
arms: in lieu thereof, they bore their ciphers, or the
initial letters of their names, artfully interwove about a
cross; of which we have divers instances on tombs, &c.
See DEVISE.