or Cypher, one of the Arabic characters or figures used in computation.

Cipher is also a kind of enigmatic character composed of several letters interwoven, which are generally the initial letters of the person's names for whom the ciphers are intended. These are frequently used on seals, coaches, and other movables. Anciently, merchants and tradesmen were not allowed to bear arms; but in lieu thereof, they bore their ciphers, or the initial letters of their names, artfully interwoven about a cross, of which we find divers instances on tombs, and other monuments.