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adj. 1. a. Of, relating to, or being a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound. b. Written with such symbols. 2. Difficult to read or decipher. n. 1. a. A hieroglyph. b. often hieroglyphics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Hieroglyphic writing, especially that of the ancient Egyptians. 2. Something, such as illegible or undecipherable writing, that is felt to resemble a hieroglyph. [French hiéroglyphique, from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Greek hierogluphikos : hieros, holy; see eis- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + gluphē, carving (from gluphein, to carve; see gleubh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] hi′er·o·glyphi·cal·ly adv.  (click for a larger image) hieroglyphic |
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