See Also: hieroglyphic(medicine)
hieroglyphic(dictionary)
Mayan hieroglyphic writing(encyclopedia)

hieroglyphic (iou)



hieroglyphic noun, adjective, & verb. L16.
[French hieroglyphique or late Latin hieroglyphicus from Greek hierogluphikos, from hieros (see HIERO-) + gluphe carving: see -IC. The adjective was used as noun by Plutarch ta hierogluphika (sc. grammata) letters, writing, whence hieroglyphics.]
A. noun.
In pl. The characters or mode of writing used esp. by the ancient Egyptians and consisting of figures of objects directly or figuratively representing words, syllables, etc. Occas. sing., such a character. L16.
A picture standing for a word or idea, esp. one symbolizing something which it does not directly depict; a figure, device, or sign having a hidden meaning; an enigmatic symbol. L16.
b. In pl. Characters or writing difficult to decipher. joc. M18.
b. adjective.
Of the nature of a hieroglyph, esp. an Egyptian one; written in or consisting of hieroglyphics. L16.
G. Daniel This was a bilingual inscription and..the Demotic and hieroglyphic writing could be deciphered.
transf. & fig. Having a hidden meaning; symbolical, emblematic. M17.
C. verb trans. Infl. -ck-. Represent by or express as a hieroglyphic. E17-E18.