n.

1. a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number;
   zero, 0, nought, cipher
2. a quantity of no importance;
   nothing, nil, nix, nada, null, aught, cipher, goose egg, naught, zero, zilch, zip, zippo
   
   • it looked like nothing I had ever seen before
   • reduced to nil all the work we had done
   • we racked up a pathetic goose egg
   • it was all for naught
   • I didn't hear zilch about it
3. a person of no influence;
   cipher, nobody, nonentity
4. a secret method of writing;
   cipher, cryptograph, secret code
5. a message written in a secret code;
   cipher

v.

1. convert ordinary language into code;
   encode, code, encipher, cipher, encrypt, inscribe, write in code
   
   • We should encode the message for security reasons
2. make a mathematical calculation or computation;
   calculate, cipher, compute, work out, reckon, figure