hieroglyphic

plural hieroglyphics · alternative hieroglyphick

1. in pluralA writing system of ancient Egypt, Minoans, Maya and other civilizations, using pictorial symbols to represent individual sounds, often as a rebus.
2. Any symbol used in this system; a hieroglyph.

   The hieroglyphics or symbols, however, were reversed, just as though they had been pressed on wax.

   1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC

   1 more example

   I must say, that, at the coronation, there was little vestige left as possible "of the charms that pleased a king." "She looked," Lady Mary Wortley said, "like an Egyptian mummy, wrought with hieroglyphics of gold."

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Gaieties and Absurdities. Lady Marchmont to Sir Jasper Meredith.”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 44

3. broadlyUndecipherable handwriting or secret symbol.

   1 more example

   Above all, the 48-page timetables of the new service, which have been distributed free at every station in the scheme, are a model to the rest of B.R. For the first time on British Railways, so far as we are aware, a substantial timetable has been produced, not only without a single footnote but also devoid of all wearisome asterisks, stars, letter suffixes and other hieroglyphics.

   1960 December, “The Glasgow Suburban Electrification is opened”, in Trains Illustrated, page 714

comparative more hieroglyphic · superlative most hieroglyphic · alternative hieroglyphick

1. Of, relating to, or written with such a system of symbols.

   a hieroglyphic obelisk

   2 more examples

   the hieroglyphic writing of ancient Egypt

   'Is there any meaning, do you think?' 'That little arrangement comes in more than once,' said Elsie, indicating a hieroglyphic twist. 'I'm sure it must mean something.'

   1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

2. Difficult to decipher.