noun

hieroglyph

Hieroglyph (noun) means an element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.

noun

An element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.

In particular, an Egyptian hieroglyph.

Any obscure or baffling symbol.

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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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of hieroglyph?

"hieroglyph" (noun) means an element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system.

What are the different meanings of hieroglyph?

"hieroglyph" has 3 main meanings: 1. An element (individual sign or glyph) of a hieroglyphic writing system; 2. In particular, an Egyptian hieroglyph; 3. Any obscure or baffling symbol.