Both Uses of
cipher
in
Jane Eyre
- But three of the number can read: none write or cipher.†
p. 413.5
- Knitting, sewing, reading, writing, ciphering, will be all you will have to teach.†
p. 408.9 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(cipher as in: a secret cipher) to write a message in a secret code; or such a message; or a substitution table or other system used to encode and decode such a message
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
At one time, cipher frequently referenced the act of doing mathematical calculations or a person capable of such calculations.
A cipher can also refer to a person without power or influence. It can also refer to the mathematical digit, zero.
A comprehensive dictionary will describe other less common senses of cipher.