decypher

English

Etymology

As decipher, but retaining the y from the Old French etyma of cipher (cyfre, cyffre); the i spelling tends to be preferred etymologically, being consistent with its cognates, the French déchiffrer and the Italian decifrare, and with their common ancestor, the Medieval Latin cifra, cifera, ciphra. By surface analysis, de- +‎ cypher.

Verb

decypher (third-person singular simple present decyphers, present participle decyphering, simple past and past participle decyphered)

1. Alternative spelling of decipher

Derived terms

• decyphered

Noun

decypher (plural decyphers)

1. Alternative spelling of decipher

Anagrams

• cyphered