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glyphs

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glyph

[glif]
–noun
1. a pictograph or hieroglyph.
2. a sculptured figure or relief carving.
3. Architecture. an ornamental channel or groove.

Origin:
1720–30; < Gk glyph() carving, deriv. of glýphein to hollow out


glyphic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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glyph   (glĭf)   
n.  
  1. Architecture A vertical groove, especially in a Doric column or frieze.

  2. A symbolic figure that is usually engraved or incised.

  3. A symbol, such as a stylized figure or arrow on a public sign, that imparts information nonverbally.


[Greek gluphē, carving, from gluphein, to carve; see gleubh- in Indo-European roots.]
glyph'ic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

glyph 
1727, from Fr. glyphe (1701), from Gk. glyphe "a carving," from glyphein "to hollow out, engrave, carve" (cognate with L. glubere "to peel, shell," and O.E. cleofan "to cleave").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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