cuneiform

1 of 2

adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters

cuneiform syllabary

cuneiform

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cuneiform part

specifically : a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

: cuneiform writing

Illustration of cuneiform

• cuneiform 2

Examples of cuneiform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unlike cuneiform, only about half of proto cuneiform symbols have been deciphered so far. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

The stories in these pages come from cuneiform and Etruscan. —Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Share [Findings] Archaeologists translated cuneiform tablets recording shareholder agreements for the first company in Anatolia. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

One joke, etched in the ancient cuneiform writing of the Sumerian people, stands as the oldest recorded bar joke and dates back roughly 4,000 years. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: made up of or written with marks or letters shaped like wedges

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: cuneiform writing

Medical Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: of, relating to, or being a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

of a human skull : wedge-shaped as viewed from above

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: a cuneiform bone or cartilage