hieroglyphic
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.
Also hi·er·o·glyph . a hieroglyphic symbol.
Usually hieroglyphics. hieroglyphic writing.
a figure or symbol with a hidden meaning.
hieroglyphics, handwriting, figures, characters, code, etc., difficult to decipher: the confusing hieroglyphics of advanced mathematics.
Origin of hieroglyphic
1Other words from hieroglyphic
- hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hieroglyphic in a sentence
The anaglyph was peculiar to the Egyptian priests; the hieroglyph generally known to the well educated.
The Caxtons, Complete | Edward Bulwer-LyttonThe signs are, of course, later than the picture-writing of the hieroglyph, and also later than the linear script suited to stone.
Sumerian Hymns | Frederick Augustus VanderburghThe only new hieroglyph is the pylon, rendered An in the cartouche.
Cleopatra's Needle | James KingConcerning the interpretation of these emblems, see Joan Pierii Hieroglyph.
The figure of an obelisk is often used as a hieroglyph, and is generally represented standing on a low base.
Cleopatra's Needle | James King
British Dictionary definitions for hieroglyphic
/ (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk) /
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
a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound
a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher
Origin of hieroglyphic
1Derived forms of hieroglyphic
- hieroglyphically, adverb
- hieroglyphist (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪst, ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ-), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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