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hieroglyphic definition

hi·ero·glyphic (hī′ər ō′glif′ik, hī′rə glif′ik)

adjective

  1. of, or having the nature of, hieroglyphics
  2. written in hieroglyphics
  3. hard to read or understand
Also hieroglyphical hi′·er·o′·glyph′i·cal

Etymology: Fr hiéroglyphique < LL hieroglyphicus < Gr hieroglyphikos < hieros, sacred (see hiero-) + glyphein, to carve, hollow out: see glyph

noun

  1. a picture or symbol representing a word, syllable, or sound, used by the ancient Egyptians and others instead of alphabetical letters
  2. a method of writing using hieroglyphics; picture writing
  3. a symbol, sign, etc. hard to understand
  4. writing hard to decipher

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

hieroglyphic Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • decipher: The mission is named after the Rosetta stone, which provided the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Preposition: on

  • papyrus: The fourth activity was to write our names in hieroglyphics on papyrus.

Adjective modifier

  • Egyptian: Now there's no excuse for not knowing how to write your name in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Modifies a noun

  • stairway: Town hall meetings construct a nearly Moto reporter cruises Mexico City streets for news their groups hieroglyphic stairway at.
hieroglyphic usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"hieroglyphic." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/hieroglyphic>

APA Style

hieroglyphic. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/hieroglyphic

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