cuneiform

[ kyoo-nee-uh-fawrm, kyoo-nee-uh- ]
/ kyuˈni əˌfɔrm, ˈkyu ni ə- /

adjective

having the form of a wedge; wedge-shaped.
composed of slim triangular or wedge-shaped elements, as the characters used in writing by the ancient Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and others.
written in cuneiform characters: cuneiform inscription.
Anatomy. noting or pertaining to any of various wedge-shaped bones, as of the tarsus.

noun

cuneiform characters or writing.
a cuneiform bone.
Also cuniform.

Origin of cuneiform

1670–80; < Latin cune(us) a wedge + -i- + -form

Example sentences from the Web for cuneiform

British Dictionary definitions for cuneiform

cuneiform
/ (ˈkjuːnɪˌfɔːm) /

adjective

Also: cuneal wedge-shaped
of, relating to, or denoting the wedge-shaped characters employed in the writing of several ancient languages of Mesopotamia and Persia, esp Sumerian, Babylonian, etc
of or relating to a tablet in which this script is employed
of or relating to any of the three tarsal bones

noun

cuneiform characters or writing
any one of the three tarsal bones

Word Origin for cuneiform

C17: probably from Old French cunéiforme, from Latin cuneus wedge

Medical definitions for cuneiform

cuneiform
[ kyōōnē-ə-fôrm′, kyōō-nē- ]

adj.

Wedge-shaped.
Of, relating to, or being a wedge-shaped bone or cartilage.

n.

A wedge-shaped bone, especially one of three such bones of the foot.