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

Notably, the glyph for the erase option in iPadOS 18's Files app is the same as the one in Disk Utility on the Mac. —Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 24 June 2024

The planets will be shown in each house via glyphs, which are astrological symbols. —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

While the flagship Nothing phones came with a glyph interface covering the whole rear panel, the Phone 2a appears to be settling with only the top half of the panel. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Only 27 tablets of Rongorongo – about 17,000 glyphs altogether – survived, taken abroad by missionaries in the mid-19th century. —Margherita Bassi, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 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