hieroglyphic
adj.
5Fr hi=roglyphique < LL hieroglyphicus < Gr hieroglyphikos < hieros, sacred (see HIERO3) + glyphein, to carve, hollow out: see GLYPH6
1 of, or having the nature of, hieroglyphics
2 written in hieroglyphics
3 hard to read or understand Also hi#er[o#glyph$i[cal
n.
1 a picture or symbol representing a word, syllable, or sound, used by the ancient Egyptians and others, instead of alphabetical letters
2 [usually pl.] a method of writing using hieroglyphics; picture writing
3 a symbol, sign, etc. hard to understand
4 [pl.] writing hard to decipher
hi#er[o#glyph$i[cal[ly
adv.