glyptic

[ glip-tik ]

/ ˈglɪp tɪk /

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adjective

of or relating to carving or engraving on gems or the like.

noun

the act or process of producing glyptic ornaments.

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Origin of glyptic

1810–20; <Greek glyptikós of engraving, of stone carving, equivalent to gly-pt(ós) carved (verbid of glýphein to engrave, hollow out) + -ikos-ic

Words nearby glyptic

glyoxylic acid, glyph, glyphography, glyphosate, glyptal, glyptic, glyptics, glyptodont, glyptograph, glyptography, GM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use glyptic in a sentence

As in glyptic so in poetic art, the Hellenism of the time was decadent and Alexandrine rather than Attic of the best period.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various
With us, wood has almost completely disappeared as a glyptic material.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. XVII. No. 101. May, 1876.|Various
But even then the careful observer might have noticed indications that a genius for glyptic art was awakening in the new republic.
Art in America|Samuel Greene Wheeler (S.G.W.) Benjamin
The best works of the glyptic art, the rarest gems, coins, and medallions of European cabinets have come to light in this way.
Pagan and Christian Rome|Rodolfo Lanciani

Greek pottery and Greek glyptic art also attracted a certain amount of favour.
Ancient Egypt|George Rawlinson

British Dictionary definitions for glyptic

glyptic

/ (ˈɡlɪptɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to engraving or carving, esp on precious stones

Word Origin for glyptic

C19: from French glyptique, from Greek gluptikos, from gluptos, from gluphein to carve

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