Hieroglyph - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A hieroglyph is a symbol or character used in ancient writing systems, such as Egyptian, to represent words or sounds. These pictorial signs were often carved or painted on monuments and scrolls.
Definition:
A character of ancient writing systems, often pictorial, used in Egypt and other cultures.
Synonyms:
symbol, pictogram, sign, character
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
plain text, modern script
Common Collocations:
ancient hieroglyphs, decipher hieroglyphs, Egyptian hieroglyphs, hieroglyphic script
Derivatives:
hieroglyphic, hieroglyphics
Usage Tips:
Use "hieroglyph" to refer to individual symbols; "hieroglyphics" for the system or writing as a whole.
Common Phrases:
read hieroglyphs like a book, the Rosetta Stone of hieroglyphs
Etymology:
From Greek "hieros" (sacred) + "glyphein" (to carve), meaning sacred carvings.
Examples:
- 1. The archaeologist studied the hieroglyph carefully.
- 2. Can you draw an Egyptian hieroglyph?
- 3. Hieroglyphs were used for religious texts.
- 4. The stone was covered in mysterious hieroglyphs.
- 5. She tried to decode the ancient hieroglyph.