glyph

noun

ˈglif 

1

: an ornamental vertical groove especially in a Doric frieze

2

: a symbolic figure or a character (as in the Mayan system of writing) usually incised or carved in relief

3

: a symbol (such as a curved arrow on a road sign) that conveys information nonverbally

glyphic

ˈgli-fik 

adjective

Synonyms

• character
• icon
• ikon
• sign
• symbol

Examples of glyph in a Sentence

a rock inscribed with mysterious glyphs that some have speculated as being of Norse origin

Recent Examples on the Web

Sign up To find more glyphs, researchers led by archaeologist Masato Sakai of Yamagata University trained an AI program to identify relief-type glyphs in high-resolution drone images taken of the entire region. —Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024

This climate preserves the rocky, three-dimensional glyphs that decorate the pebbly landscape. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Scientists classified the drawings into larger, line-type glyphs, created by removing stones and gravel to reveal lighter colored earth beneath, and smaller, relief-type glyphs, drawn using surface stones of colored both white and black. —Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024

Geometric polygons are another group of glyphs that include trapezoids and other shapes. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek glyphē carved work, from glyphein to carve — more at cleave

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1