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STENCIL LENGTH :
Number of letters which can be enciphered (or deciphered) with a
particular stencil at one operation.
STENCIL-SEARCH METHOD :
Method of breaking poly-alphabetic ciphers of which the key-sequence
is determined by plain language, and depths of letter-subtractor (e.g.
machine) ciphers, by seeking a probable word in a stencil-search table
by means of a search-stencil.
STENCIL-SEARCH TABLE :
Table formed by writing the text of a poly-alphabetic cipher (or the
difference of two letter-subtractor cipher messages in depth with each
other) along the top, the letters in their normal alphabetic order down
the side, and filling in the columns with the letters that are the sum
(or difference, according to the ciphering system that is being used)
of the letters at the top and at the side for each different position.
(In practice this simply means writing the cipher component of the
cipher alphabet used into each column, starting from the letter at
the top). A "probable" word can be sought on such a table by cutting
a search-stencil in the appropriate manner (see Stencil 2) and sliding
it along the table at the proper level.
STICHWORT :
(in Enigma.)
1. A code-word directing the application of a key-word (see below)
and hence the introduction of the altered set-up which that key-
word indicates.
2. A key-word indicating by its letters alterations or slides to be
applied to existing set-ups.
STOP :
A point in a run at which a bombe stops; especially one giving a
solution of a particular menu which may contain stecker-contradictions
of certain types, e.g. A steckered to X, and B steckered to X, where
A and B occur in the menu. (Opposed to Story).
STORY :
A solution of particular menu especially by a bombe containing no
stecker-contradictions of any kind. (A bombe-run normally produces
more stops than stories). Also, a possible solution obtained by one
cryptographic process, calling for further investigation by another.
STRAIGHT :
(of alphabets, etc.). Unhatted.
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