Defn: The group of Thysanura which includes Lepisma and allied forms; the bristletails. See Bristletail, and Lepisma.
CION
Ci"on, n. Etym: [OF. cion. See Scion.]
Defn: See Scion. The cion overruleth the stock; and the stock is but passive, and giveth aliment, but no motion, to the graft. Bacon.
CIPHER
Ci"pher, n. Etym: [OF. cifre zero, F. Chiffre figure (cf. Sp.cifra,
LL. cifra), fr. Ar. çifrun, çafrun, empty, cipher, zero, fr. çafira
to be empty. Cf. Zero.]
1. (Arith.)
Defn: A character [0] which, standing by itself, expresses nothing, but when placed at the right hand of a whole number, increases its value tenfold.
2. One who, or that which, has no weight or influence. Here he was a mere cipher. W. Irving.
3. A character in general, as a figure or letter. [Obs.] This wisdom began to be written in ciphers and characters and letters bearing the forms of creatures. Sir W. Raleigh.
4. A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device; a monogram; as, a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. The cut represents the initials N. W.
5. A private alphabet, system of characters, or other mode of writing, contrived for the safe transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such characters. His father . . . engaged him when he was very young to write all his letters to England in cipher. Bp. Burnet. Cipher key, a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.