word
hieroglyph
HY-er-oh-glif
ˈhaɪərəɡlɪfListen
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Syllable breakdown
hieroglyph
Dictionary meaning
A picture representing a word, phrase, or sound used in ancient Egyptian writing; more broadly, any writing using pictures or symbols.
History and origin
Greek — 'hieros' (sacred) + 'glyphein' (to carve).
Examples
- The cartouche contained hieroglyphs spelling out the pharaoh's name.
Common mispronunciations
HY-roh-glifHIH-er-oh-glif
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