adjective / noun

hieroglyphic

hy-er-uh-GLIF-ik/hˌaɪroʊɡlˈɪfɪk/

Picture-like symbols used in writing.

The carved ankh is a hieroglyphic symbol on the sandstone fragment.

A single ancient Egyptian ankh hieroglyph carved into a small sandstone fragment: one closed oval loop above a crossbar and long vertical stem, clean correct shape.

Etymology

hieroGreeksacred

+glyphGreekcarving

+icGreekrelating to

The pieces express “relating to sacred carving.” Originally describing Egyptian writing, the adjective became a noun naming the written symbols themselves.

In context

SLICE History24:06

So, if each hieroglyphic represents just one single idea, like a very intricate puzzle, how do 1,400 ideas turn into just 86 words in Greek?

Champollion and the Secret Behind the Decoding of Hieroglyphs I SLICE HISTORY | FULL DOCUMENTARY

More examples

A bird-shaped hieroglyphic appears beside the king's name.
Students compare hieroglyphic writing with the alphabet they use today.
She copies a row of hieroglyphics into her notebook.

Forms

hieroglyphic · hieroglyphics

Similar words

pictograph: Directly pictures an object; hieroglyphics can also represent sounds.
ideogram: Specifically represents an idea or concept rather than a sound.