hieroglyphic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   written in or relating to a system that uses pictorial symbols, especially ancient Egyptian writing

   The wall bears a hieroglyphic account of the king's victories.

2. 2
   noun

   a hieroglyph or a system of hieroglyphic writing

   The scholar identified the damaged hieroglyphic as a royal title.

3. 3
   adj

   difficult to read or interpret because it resembles obscure symbols

   The doctor's hieroglyphic notes defeated every clerk in the office.

Through French hieroglyphique and Latin hieroglyphicus from Greek hieroglyphikos, built from hieros ("sacred") + glyphein ("to carve"). The original hieroglyphs were therefore understood as sacred carvings.

Topics