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

Before the invention of alphabets, early writing systems—like hieroglyphs and cuneiform—used symbols representing objects or phonetic sounds. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024

Kids learned cuneiform, an ancient writing system, by transcribing what the teacher wrote and then erasing what was written and starting again. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024

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

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