glyph

Definition

A figure carved in relief or incised, especially representing a sound, word, or idea.

Etymology

First attested in 1727. Borrowed from French glyphe, from Ancient Greek γλυφή (gluphḗ, “carving”), from γλύφω (glúphō, “I carve, engrave”).

Example Sentences

• "human figures carved on the obverse and the reverse, and glyphs on the other faces. Slab-stelæ, on the other hand, are shorter and most of them bear inscriptions only on the reverse. Frequently associated with these stelæ are smaller monoliths known as "altars," which vary greatly in size, shape, and decoration, some bearing glyphs and others being without them."
• "The grid column header displays a sort glyph indicating an ascending or descending ordering."

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