hieroglyphical

Variant of hieroglyphic

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.

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