glyph

noun

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 adjective

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 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 Scientists classified the drawings into larger, line-type glyphs, created by removing stones and gravel to reveal lighter colored earth beneath, and smaller, relief-type glyphs, drawn using surface stones of colored both white and black. Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024 Geometric polygons are another group of glyphs that include trapezoids and other shapes. Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glyph 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glyph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of glyph was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near glyph

Cite this Entry

“Glyph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glyph. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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