glyph

American  

[glif] / glɪf /

noun

1. a pictograph or hieroglyph.

2. a sculptured figure or relief carving.

3. Architecture. an ornamental channel or groove.

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glyph British  

/ ɡlɪf /

noun

1. a carved channel or groove, esp a vertical one as used on a Doric frieze

2. rare another word for hieroglyphic

3. any computer-generated character regarded in terms of its shape and bit pattern

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Other Word Forms

• glyphic adjective

Etymology

Origin of glyph

First recorded in 1720–30; from Greek glyph(ḗ) “a carving,” derivative of glýphein “to carve, hollow out”

Example Sentences

The monument acknowledges this history via a ring of lights around the perimeter, each sporting a glyph representing a historical event.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2023

In one glyph, the Sak Tz’i’ ruler appears as the dancing Yopaat, a divinity associated with violent tropical storms.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2022

Only from the air does the layout finally resolve into an elegant glyph.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2022

Acknowledging this state’s strong economic influence and mercantile activities, and the existence of three independent stone glyph inscriptions within its realm bearing a zero, this claim certainly has strong credibility.

From Scientific American • Jul. 28, 2022

The glyph glows a bright purple and creates a shimmering purple force field around me and Autumn.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer