hieroglyphic

[hahy-er-uh-glif-ik, hahy-ruh-]

adjective

1. Also hieroglyphical. 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.

2. inscribed with hieroglyphic symbols.

3. hard to decipher; hard to read.

noun

1. Also hieroglyph a hieroglyphic symbol.

2. Usually hieroglyphics. hieroglyphic writing.

3. a figure or symbol with a hidden meaning.

4. hieroglyphics, handwriting, figures, characters, code, etc., difficult to decipher.

   the confusing hieroglyphics of advanced mathematics.

hieroglyphic

/ ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ-, ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪst, ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt

2. written with hieroglyphic symbols

3. difficult to read or decipher

noun

1. a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound

2. a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher

Other Word Forms

• hieroglyphically adverb
• hieroglyphist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hieroglyphic¹

1575–85; < Late Latin hieroglyphicus < Greek hieroglyphikós “pertaining to sacred writing.” See hiero-, glyph ( def. ), -ic ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hieroglyphic¹

C16: from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Greek hierogluphikos, from _hiero- + gluphē carving, from gluphein to carve

Example Sentences

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

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

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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.

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Think of each as equivalent to a hieroglyphic image.

Read more on Science Magazine