cryptanalysis

American  

[krip-tuh-nal-uh-sis] / ˌkrɪp təˈnæl ə sɪs /

noun

1. the procedures, processes, methods, etc., used to translate or interpret secret writings, as codes and ciphers, for which the key is unknown.

2. the science or study of such procedures.

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cryptanalysis British  

/ ˌkrɪptænəˈlɪtɪk, ˌkrɪptəˈnælɪsɪs /

noun

1. the study of codes and ciphers; cryptography

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Other Word Forms

• cryptanalyst noun
• cryptanalytic adjective
• cryptanalytically adverb

Etymology

Origin of cryptanalysis

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; crypt(ogram) + analysis

Example Sentences

The officer who encrypted the message, following normal procedure, added at the end those three random words as “padding” to complicate enemy cryptanalysis.

From Washington Post • Aug. 20, 2020

Likewise, the United Kingdom hired more than 7,000 women to work at Bletchley Park, its centre for cryptanalysis, where they made up about three-quarters of the workforce.

From Nature • Mar. 25, 2018

Now, technology has moved cryptanalysis to the digital world.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Herewith, a cryptanalysis of other enigmatic dress codes that I, and people I know, have encountered on invitations.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2014

The NSA’s new director was in favor of the new policy, taking the hard line that “All official cryptanalysis is a type of activity that should be protected no matter how old it has become.”

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield