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Code word

In telecommunication, the term code word has the following meanings:

  1. A cryptonym used to identify sensitive intelligence data. A Code differs from a Cipher in that it operates on letter or word boundaries.
  2. A word that has been assigned a classification and a classified meaning to safeguard intentions and information regarding a classified plan or operation. This may allow the plan to be discussed or mentioned briefly without revealing its nature; the Manhattan Project was a famous example of an outright misleading code word.
  3. In a code, a word that consists of a sequence of symbols assembled in accordance with the specific rules of the code and assigned a unique meaning. (e.g. Gray code).
  4. A code may also be used to represent a compressed form of a word, phrase or data. (e.g. Huffman Code).

Note: Examples of code words are error-detecting-or-correcting code words and communication code words, such as SOS and Mayday. See below for details of their meanings.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188 and from the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms