hieroglyph
An element of a hieroglyphic writing systemAn element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.
» Tom tried to translate the hieroglyphs.
Meaning
3 sensesAn element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.
Hieroglyphs were discovered on the wall inside the temple.
Hieroglyphe
иеро́глифijeróglif
ієро́гліфijeróhlif
a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt
An element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.
In particular, an Egyptian hieroglyph.
(informal)Any obscure or baffling symbol.
With your handwriting, it's no surprise the Prof can't read your hieroglyphs!
Examples
17 sentencesTom tried to translate the hieroglyphs.
Would you know how to translate these hieroglyphs?
The walls of the tomb were covered with hieroglyphs.
ruСтены гробницы были исписаны иероглифами.
Mary translated the hieroglyphs.
Tom translated the hieroglyphs.
ruТом переводил иероглифы.
deTom hat die Hieroglyphen übersetzt.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
First attested around 1598, a back-formation from hieroglyphic (1580s), from Middle FrenchFirst attested around 1598, a back-formation from hieroglyphic (1580s), from Middle French hiéroglyphique, from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Ancient Greek ἱερογλυφικός (hierogluphikós) (Plutarch τά ἱερογλυφικά [γράμματα] "hieroglyphic [writing]), ἱερόγλυφος (hierógluphos, “carver of hieroglyphs”) (Ptolemy), a compound of ἱερός (hierós, “sacred, holy”) and γλυφή (gluphḗ, “carved work”), a calque of Egyptian mdw-nṯr (“the god’s word”), nTr-md. By surface analysis, hiero- + glyph.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: hieroglyphs| Singular | hieroglyph |
|---|---|
| Plural | hieroglyphs |
regular
Synonyms
1 synonyms- a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt:hieroglyphic
- writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible):hieroglyphic