An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ziffer

by Friedrich Kluge

Ziffer, f., ‘figure, numeral, cipher,’ from late MidHG. (rare), zifer, ziffer, f.; corresponding to Du. cijfer, E. cipher, Fr. chiffre, ‘cipher, secret characters,’ Ital. cifra, ‘secret characters.’ Originally ‘cipher, nought’; adopted in the European languages from Arab. çafar, ‘nought,’ along with the Arabic notation.