DECIPHER

decipher, trace

(verb) read with difficulty; “Can you decipher this letter?”; “The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs”

decode, decrypt, decipher

(verb) convert code into ordinary language

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

decipher (third-person singular simple present deciphers, present participle deciphering, simple past and past participle deciphered)

(transitive) To decode or decrypt a code or cipher to plain text.

(transitive) To read text that is almost illegible or obscure.

(transitive) To find a solution to a problem.

Noun

decipher (plural deciphers)

A decipherment; a decoding.

Anagrams

• ciphered

Source: Wiktionary

De*ci"pher, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deciphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciphering.] Etym: [Pref. de- + cipher. Formed in imitation of F. déchiffrer. See Cipher.]

1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters.

2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.] You are both deciphered, . . . For villains. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition