[f. CIPHER v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CIPHER.
1. Computing with Arabic numbers; elementary arithmetic.
1611. Cotgr., Chifrer, to calculate, or examine, an accompt, by cyphering.
1806. Hutton, Course Math., I. 4. The art of Arithmetic was … often called Ciphering.
1845. R. W. Hamilton, Pop. Educ., iv. 69. The simpler elements of what is denominated ciphering.
1884. trans. Lotze’s Logic, 204. Our system of ciphering enables us, without the need of distinctly forming even any collective idea of the numbers … to bring out a result.
2. Writing in cipher.
1536. Stat. 28 Hen. VIII., c. 10 § 1. If eny person … shall, by wrytyng, cifryng, printing, preaching or teaching … set forth … the auctorite … of the Bisshoppe of Rome.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., I. vii. (Arb.), 93. Letters wrytten with the Admiralles hande in strange and vnknowen sypheringes.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 27. [He] writeth darkly by way of ciphring, hee putteth .b. for .a. .c. for .b. and so forth.
1764. T. H. Croker, etc. Dict. Arts, s.v. Cipher, the art of ciphering is capable of great improvement.
3. Of the organ: see quot.
1876. Hiles, Catech. Organ, xvi. (1878), 139. [Organ-building] ciphering [is the] sounding of a single note without any key being pressed down; this is sometimes called howling, or humming.
4. attrib.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., 26. You must seeke Records Arithmetique … and set them to the Cyphering schoole.
1810. W. J. Hort (title), A Practical Cyphering Book.
1815. W. Jacques (title), An Engraved Cyphering Book, for the use of Ladies’ schools.
