hieroglyphic
[ hahy-er-uh-glif-ik, hahy-ruh- ]
/ ˌhaɪ ər əˈglɪf ɪk, ˌhaɪ rə- /
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adjective
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.
noun
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of hieroglyphic
OTHER WORDS FROM hieroglyphic
hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby hieroglyphic
hieratic, hiero-, hierocracy, hierodeacon, hierodule, hieroglyphic, Hieroglyphic Hittite, hieroglyphics, hieroglyphist, hieroglyphology, hierogram
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for hieroglyphic
British Dictionary definitions for hieroglyphic
hieroglyphic
/ (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk) /
adjective Also: hieroglyphical
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
noun Also: hieroglyph
a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound
a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher
Derived forms of hieroglyphic
hieroglyphically, adverbhieroglyphist (ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪst, ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ-), nounWord Origin for hieroglyphic
C16: from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Greek hierogluphikos, from hiero- + gluphē carving, from gluphein to carve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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