hieroglyphics

British  

/ ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪks /

noun

1. a form of writing, esp as used in ancient Egypt, in which pictures or symbols are used to represent objects, concepts, or sounds

2. difficult or undecipherable writing

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hieroglyphics Cultural  

1. A system of writing with pictures that represent words or sounds. The ancient Egyptians wrote with hieroglyphics. (See Rosetta stone.)

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Present-day writing that is hard to decipher or understand is sometimes jokingly called “hieroglyphics.”

Example Sentences

He squinted at the light that had appeared up ahead, a towering wall of hieroglyphics on which the familiar opening credits wavered unsteadily.

From Literature

“I thought those hieroglyphics were some kind of secret wise sayings,” I said as I gazed at the faded symbols on the obelisk.

From Literature

These include the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering hieroglyphics, which is on display at the British Museum in London.

From BBC

The Rosetta Stone, found in 1799, provided the key to deciphering hieroglyphics; it was discovered by the French army and was seized by the British as war booty.

From BBC

A golden vent rests at its top, the figures on its grille appearing like alien hieroglyphics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calligraphy
• longhand
• manuscript
• scrawl
• script
• writing