hieroglyphic | hʌɪrəˈɡlɪfɪk | noun (hieroglyphics)
Writing consisting of hieroglyphs: Stylized pictures of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound, as found in ancient Egyptian and certain other writing systems. Without the Rosetta Stone, it is likely that Egyptian hieroglyphics would still be a mystery.
Writing consisting of hieroglyphs: Stylized pictures of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound, as found in ancient Egyptian and certain other writing systems. Without the Rosetta Stone, it is likely that Egyptian hieroglyphics would still be a mystery.
• enigmatic or incomprehensible symbols or writing: notebooks filled with illegible hieroglyphics.
adjective
of or written in hieroglyphs: Hieroglyphic script | a hieroglyphic sign.
• of the nature of a hieroglyph; symbolic or enigmatic.
DERIVATIVES
hieroglyphical | ˌhʌɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk(ə)l | adjective
hieroglyphically adverb
ORIGIN
late 16th century: from French hiéroglyphique, from Greek hierogluphikos, from hieros ‘sacred’ + gluphē ‘carving’.
adjective
of or written in hieroglyphs: Hieroglyphic script | a hieroglyphic sign.
• of the nature of a hieroglyph; symbolic or enigmatic.
DERIVATIVES
hieroglyphical | ˌhʌɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk(ə)l | adjective
hieroglyphically adverb
ORIGIN
late 16th century: from French hiéroglyphique, from Greek hierogluphikos, from hieros ‘sacred’ + gluphē ‘carving’.
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.
