'ciphertext' originates from the combination of 'cipher' and 'text', where 'cipher' meant 'a secret or disguised way of writing'.

'cipher' changed from the Arabic word 'ṣifr' meaning 'zero' or 'empty', and eventually became the modern English word 'cipher' through Old French 'cifre'.

Initially, 'cipher' meant 'zero', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a secret code'.