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

Its origins can be traced back thousands of years to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, appearing in Mayan glyphs and documented in 16th-century accounts by Spanish missionaries in Central Mexico, who recorded tamales made with axolotl, tuna cactus (prickly pear), fish, and rabbit, among other variations. —Cat Cardenas, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024

Right Now By Jordan Thomas Forbes Staff The symbols on the talismans and the symbol that Jade sees in his visions could easily be interpreted as occult, with a mixture of Celtic, Norse and Mesoamerican glyphs. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

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

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