/ ˈhaɪərəglɪf; NAmE / noun
a picture or symbol of an object, representing a word, syllable or sound, especially as used in ancient Egyptian and other writing systems
► hiero·glyph·ic / ˌhaɪərəˈglɪfɪk; NAmE / adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: back-formation from hieroglyphic , from French hiéroglyphique , from Greek hierogluphikos , from hieros sacred + gluphē carving.