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1. Dictionary

   decipher

   /dɪˈsʌɪfə/

   verb

   • 1. convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language: "authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications" Similar decodedecryptbreakwork outsolveinterprettranslateconstrueexplainmake sense ofmake head or tail ofget to the bottom ofunravelfind the key tofind the answer tothrow light oninformal:crackfigure outtwigsusssuss outOpposite encode
   • ▪ succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something): "visual signals help us decipher what is being communicated" Similar make outdiscernperceiveseereadfollowfathompenetratemake sense ofinterpretunderstandcomprehendapprehendgraspuntangledisentanglesort outpiece together

   Word Origin early 16th century: from de- (expressing reversal) + cipher1, on the pattern of French déchiffrer.

   Derivatives

   • 1. decipherable adjective
   • 2. decipherment noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • I

     1

   • P

     3

   • H

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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