decipher
UK[dɪˈsaɪfə(r)]US[dɪˈsaɪfər]
v
To succeed in reading, understanding, or interpreting something that is difficult to understand or that is written in code.
v
To convert (a text written in code) into ordinary language.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
cipher
de
remove, reverse
cipher
code
Etymology
The word 'decipher' is a relatively modern English formation from the early 16th century. It was created by combining the Latin-derived prefix 'de-', which here implies a process of reversal or removal, with the noun 'cipher', which entered English from Old French 'cifre'. 'Cipher' itself has a fascinating journey, tracing back to Arabic 'ṣifr' meaning "zero, empty," which was a translation of Sanskrit 'śūnya' (empty). This term entered Medieval Latin as 'cifra,' referring to the numeral zero and later to any Arabic numeral, before evolving to denote a coded message where letters are substituted with numbers or symbols. Therefore, to 'decipher' literally means to "remove the code" or to reverse the process of encoding, transforming a secret system of symbols back into intelligible language.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove, reverse) + cipher (code)
de: A prefix of Latin origin meaning "down from, off, away, reversing or removing."
cipher: A word of Arabic origin (via Medieval Latin and Old French) meaning "code, the number zero, or a secret way of writing."
Examples
Archaeologists worked for years to decipher the ancient script carved into the temple walls.
I couldn't decipher his messy handwriting on the note.
The team used advanced computers to decipher the enemy's encrypted communications.