decipher

[ dih-sahy-fer ]
/ dɪˈsaɪ fər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR decipher ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.): to decipher a hastily scribbled note.
to discover the meaning of (anything obscure or difficult to trace or understand): to decipher hieroglyphics.
to interpret by the use of a key, as something written in cipher: to decipher a secret message.
Obsolete. to depict; portray.

Origin of decipher

1520–30; translation of Middle French déchiffrer. See de-, cipher

OTHER WORDS FROM decipher

Words nearby decipher

decimate, decimeter, decimetre, decimus, decinormal, decipher, decision, decision procedure, decision support system, decision table, decision theory

Words related to undecipherable

cryptic, incomprehensible, indecipherable, unclear, unintelligible, unreadable

Example sentences from the Web for undecipherable

British Dictionary definitions for undecipherable

decipher
/ (dɪˈsaɪfə) /

verb (tr)

to determine the meaning of (something obscure or illegible)
to convert from code into plain text; decode

Derived forms of decipher

decipherable, adjective decipherability, noun decipherer, noun decipherment, noun