hieroglyphic

hi·er·o·glyph·ic  (hr--glfk, hr-) also hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal (--kl)

adj.

1.

a. Of, relating to, or being a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

b. Written with such symbols.

2. Difficult to read or decipher.

n.

1.

a. A hieroglyph.

b. Hieroglyphic writing, especially that of the ancient Egyptians. Often used in the plural with a singular or plural verb.

2. Something, such as illegible or undecipherable writing, that is felt to resemble a hieroglyph.

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[French hiéroglyphique, from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Greek hierogluphikos : hieros, holy; see eis- in Indo-European roots + gluph, carving (from gluphein, to carve; see gleubh- in Indo-European roots).]

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hier·o·glyphi·cal·ly adv.

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hieroglyphic [hire-oh-gliff-ik]

Adjective

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

Noun

also hieroglyph

1. a symbol that is difficult to decipher

2. a picture or symbol representing an object, idea, or sound [Greek hieros holy + gluphein to carve]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	hieroglyphic - writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible) hieroglyph writing - letters or symbols that are written or imprinted on a surface to represent the sounds or words of a language; "he turned the paper over so the writing wouldn't show"; "the doctor's writing was illegible"
	2.	hieroglyphic - a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt hieroglyph orthography, writing system - a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols hieratic, hieratic script - a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests
Adj.	1.	hieroglyphic - resembling hieroglyphic writing hieroglyphical
	2.	hieroglyphic - written in or belonging to a writing system using pictorial symbols hieroglyphical

Translations

hieroglyphic [haɪərəˈglɪfɪk] adj → jeroglífico

n hieroglyphics → jeroglíficos mpl

hieroglyphic [haɪərəˈglɪfɪk] adj → hiéroglyphique;

hieroglyphics npl → hiéroglyphes mpl

hieroglyphic [haɪərəˈglɪfɪk] adj → geroglifico/a;

hieroglyphics npl → geroglifici mpl