cuneiform
UK[ˈkjuː.nɪ.fɔːm]US[ˈkjuː.ni.ə.fɔːrm]
adj
relating to or written in the wedge-shaped characters used in the ancient writing systems of mesopotamia, persia, and ugarit.
n
cuneiform writing.
Morpheme Breakdown
cune
i
form
cune
wedge
i
form
shape
Etymology
the term cuneiform is a modern latin construction, entering english in the 17th century. it directly combines the latin word 'cuneus', meaning 'wedge', with the latin suffix '-formis', meaning 'having the form of'. this describes the distinctive appearance of the script, which was created by pressing a reed stylus into soft clay, producing wedge-shaped impressions. the word thus functions as a precise, descriptive label for the ancient writing system, literally meaning 'wedge-shaped'.
Analysis
Structure: cune (wedge) + i + form (shape)
cune (from latin 'cuneus', meaning 'wedge'); i (a connecting vowel); form (from latin 'forma', meaning 'shape, form').
Examples
the tablet was inscribed with cuneiform script.
scholars have deciphered thousands of cuneiform tablets from mesopotamia.
the development of cuneiform marked a major advancement in human record-keeping.