Definition of HIEROGLYPH

hieroglyph

Plural: hieroglyphs

Noun

  • writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible)
  • a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt
  • An element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.
  • Any obscure or baffling symbol.

Verb

  • To represent by hieroglyphs.

Examples

  • Hieroglyphs were discovered on the wall inside the temple.
  • With your handwriting, it's no surprise the Prof can't read your hieroglyphs!

Origin / Etymology

First 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.

Synonyms

hieroglyphic

Scrabble Score: 22

hieroglyph: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
hieroglyph: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hieroglyph: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 22

hieroglyph: valid Words With Friends Word