hieroglyphic
Meaning
relating to or written in hieroglyphs
(of writing or symbols) difficult to read or decipher
(usually hieroglyphics) writing consisting of hieroglyphs
Structure
Usage
the archaeologist studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the temple wall.
his handwriting is so messy it's practically hieroglyphic.
the ancient manuscript was filled with mysterious hieroglyphics.
Etymology
the word 'hieroglyphic' originates from the greek 'hieroglyphikos', a compound of 'hieros' (sacred) and 'glyphein' (to carve). the greeks used this term to describe the enigmatic carved symbols they observed on ancient egyptian monuments, interpreting them as exclusively sacred writings. this greek term passed into late latin as 'hieroglyphicus' before entering english in the 16th century. while the modern definition retains the core idea of a carved symbolic script, it has expanded to encompass any pictographic writing system and metaphorically describes anything obscure or hard to decipher, moving beyond the original connotation of the sacred.
Analysis
hiero: from greek 'hieros', meaning sacred, holy. serves as a combining form. glyph: from greek 'glyphē', meaning carving, engraving. serves as a root noun. ic: from latin '-icus', greek '-ikos', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'of or pertaining to'.