hi·er·o·glyph
noun/ˈhaɪərəɡlɪf/
/ˈhaɪərəɡlɪf/
- a picture or symbol of an object, representing a word, syllable or sound, especially as used in ancient Egyptian and other writing systems
enlarge image象形文字，象形符号（尤指古埃及等所用的文字） - The meanings of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were unknown until the 19th century.
直到 19 世纪，古埃及象形文字的含义才为人所知。
Word Originlate 16th cent.: back-formation from hieroglyphic, from French hiéroglyphique, from Greek hierogluphikos, from hieros ‘sacred’ + gluphē ‘carving’. - The meanings of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were unknown until the 19th century.