"hieroglyphic" Definition

Definitions for the word "hieroglyphic" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. a.
A sacred character; a character in picture writing, as of the ancient Egyptians, Mexicans, etc. Specifically, in the plural, the picture writing of the ancient Egyptian priests. It is made up of three, or, as some say, four classes of characters: first, the hieroglyphic proper, or figurative, in which the representation of the object conveys the idea of the object itself; second, the ideographic, consisting of symbols representing ideas, not sounds, as an ostrich feather is a symbol of truth; third, the phonetic, consisting of symbols employed as syllables of a word, or as letters of the alphabet, having a certain sound, as a hawk represented the vowel a.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Any character or figure which has, or is supposed to have, a hidden or mysterious significance; hence, any unintelligible or illegible character or mark.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. a.
Alt. of Hieroglyphical
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. adj.
Of or written in hieroglyphs. n. (in pl.) Hieroglyphs; hieroglyphic writing.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884

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This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "hieroglyphic" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "hieroglyphic" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

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