Decipherment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔍

Add to dictionary

decipherment

[dɪˈsaɪfərmənt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

study of ancient scripts

Decipherment is the act of converting encoded or encrypted text into plain text. It involves analyzing the symbols, characters, or codes used in the script to reveal their meaning. Decipherment is often used in the field of archaeology to decode ancient languages or scripts that have been lost or forgotten over time.

Synonyms

decoding, interpretation, translation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
decipherment	Used mostly in the context of solving or understanding something complex, especially ancient scripts or codes. The decipherment of the ancient manuscript took years of diligent work
decoding	Usually used in the context of breaking down coded messages or understanding encrypted information. Can also relate to understanding complex information in various fields like genetics. Scientists are decoding the human genome to better understand genetic diseases
interpretation	Used when explaining or understanding something based on one’s perspective. Often relates to art, literature, or spoken words. Her interpretation of the poem added a new layer of meaning to the discussion
translation	Commonly used for converting text or speech from one language to another. Can also relate to adapting concepts between different systems or cultures. The translation of the book into Spanish has made it accessible to a wider audience

Examples of usage

The decipherment of the Rosetta Stone was a significant breakthrough in understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Linguists spent years working on the decipherment of the Indus Valley script.
The decipherment of Linear B tablets provided valuable insights into ancient Mycenaean civilization.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

In the 19th century, the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs was a major breakthrough, accomplished by Jean-François Champollion.
World War II saw a significant focus on decipherment, where cryptanalysis played a key role in understanding enemy messages.

Science

Linguists use decipherment to analyze ancient or new languages by comparing known words and grammar structures.
In genetics, deciphering DNA sequences helps scientists understand hereditary information and biological processes.

Pop Culture

Decipherment plays a significant role in fiction, where characters often solve puzzles or codes to unlock secrets or treasures, as seen in movies like 'National Treasure'.
The mysterious messages in the popular video game series 'The Legend of Zelda' often involve players deciphering clues to progress.

Psychology

Understanding body language and unspoken cues can be seen as a form of decipherment in social interactions.
Psychologists investigate how people decode emotions in facial expressions to better understand communication.

Origin of 'decipherment'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the prefix 'de-', meaning to remove, and 'cipher', which originally referred to a code or zero in Arabic.
Historically, the term was used in medieval times for breaking down encoded messages, especially in military contexts.

The history of the word 'decipherment' dates back to the early 19th century when scholars began to focus on unlocking the secrets of ancient scripts and languages. The development of decipherment techniques has led to groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of linguistics, archaeology, and cryptography. The ability to decipher ancient texts has provided invaluable insights into the cultures and histories of civilizations long past.

See also: decipherable, decipherer, deciphering.