hieroglyphic
[ hahy-er-uh-glif-ik, hahy-ruh- ]
/ ˌhaɪ ər əˈglɪf ɪk, ˌhaɪ rə- /
adjective
Also hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal.
designating or pertaining to a pictographic script, particularly that of the ancient Egyptians, in which many of the symbols are conventionalized, recognizable pictures of the things represented.
inscribed with hieroglyphic symbols.
hard to decipher; hard to read.
noun
Origin of hieroglyphic
OTHER WORDS FROM hieroglyphic
hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby hieroglyphic
hieratic,
hiero-,
hierocracy,
hierodeacon,
hierodule,
hieroglyphic,
hieroglyphic hittite,
hieroglyphics,
hieroglyphist,
hieroglyphology,
hierogram
Example sentences from the Web for hieroglyphics
British Dictionary definitions for hieroglyphics (1 of 2)
hieroglyphics
/ (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪks) /
noun (functioning as singular or plural)
a form of writing, esp as used in ancient Egypt, in which pictures or symbols are used to represent objects, concepts, or sounds
difficult or undecipherable writing
British Dictionary definitions for hieroglyphics (2 of 2)
hieroglyphic
/ (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk) /
adjective Also: hieroglyphical
of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt
written with hieroglyphic symbols
difficult to read or decipher
noun Also: hieroglyph
a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound
a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher
Derived forms of hieroglyphic
hieroglyphically, adverb hieroglyphist (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪst, ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ-), nounWord Origin for hieroglyphic
C16: from Late Latin
hieroglyphicus, from Greek
hierogluphikos, from
hiero- +
gluphē carving, from
gluphein to carve
Cultural definitions for hieroglyphics
hieroglyphics
[ (heye-uhr-uh-glif-iks, heye-ruh-glif-iks) ]
A system of writing with pictures that represent words or sounds. The ancient Egyptians wrote with hieroglyphics. (See Rosetta stone.)
notes for hieroglyphics
Present-day writing that is hard to decipher or understand is sometimes jokingly called “hieroglyphics.”