# Cardan grille

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A sheet of card or thin metal, etc., used in composing secret messages. The words of the message are written through a number of holes cut arbitrarily in the sheet, and the remaining paper is then filled with irrelevant words to disguise it.

## Etymology
Proposed in 1550 by Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576), known in French as Jérôme Cardan.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cardan-grille