hieroglyphic

American  

[hahy-er-uh-glif-ik, hahy-ruh-] / ˌhaɪ ər əˈglɪf ɪk, ˌhaɪ rə- /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of hieroglyphic

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

Explanation

If your written language consists of pictures rather than letters and words, your written communication would be hieroglyphic in nature. Ancient Egyptian writing was hieroglyphic. The pictures that make up hieroglyphic language are called hieroglyphs. The word descended from the Greek hierogluphikos which could be translated to mean "sacred carvings." Back when written communication was literally carved in stone, most of what was written was important, or "sacred." Today if someone describes your handwriting as hieroglyphic, they mean something quite different — your writing is awful and illegible.

Example Sentences

A math lesson, for instance, might feature hieroglyphic numerals.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2023

At its centre are two players in elaborate headgear surrounded by hieroglyphic writing.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2023

"In this Mayan site, it is rare to find hieroglyphic writing, let alone a complete text," said Francisco Perez, one of the archaeologists coordinating the investigations in the Chichanchob complex, also called Casa Colorada.

From Reuters • Apr. 11, 2023

Before the new study, the earliest evidence of this calendar came from a mural containing a piece of hieroglyphic script found in San Bartolo, Guatemala, dated to 300 B.C.E.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 5, 2023

So towards the end of the hieroglyphic period, when he’d learned about as much Egyptian writing as he felt ready for, he hadn’t had very much to do.

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder