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hieroglyphics

adjective

Also hi·er·o·glyph·i·cal. designating or pertaining to a pictographic script, particularly that of the ancient Egyptians, in which many of the symbols are conventionalized, recognizable pictures of the things represented.
inscribed with hieroglyphic symbols.
hard to decipher; hard to read.

noun

Also hi·er·o·glyph. a hieroglyphic symbol.
Usually hieroglyphics. hieroglyphic writing.
a figure or symbol with a hidden meaning.
hieroglyphics, handwriting, figures, characters, code, etc., difficult to decipher: the confusing hieroglyphics of advanced mathematics.

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

a form of writing, esp as used in ancient Egypt, in which pictures or symbols are used to represent objects, concepts, or sounds
difficult or undecipherable writing

adjective Also: hieroglyphical

of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt
written with hieroglyphic symbols
difficult to read or decipher

noun Also: hieroglyph

a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound
a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher

1580s, from Greek ta hieroglyphika; see hieroglyphic + -ics.

1580s (adj. and n.), from Late Latin hieroglyphicus, from Greek hieroglyphikos “hieroglyphic; of Egyptian writing,” from hieros “sacred” (see ire) + glyphe “carving,” from glyphein “to carve” (see glyph). Plutarch began the custom of using the adjective (ta hieroglyphika) as a noun.

A system of writing with pictures that represent words or sounds. The ancient Egyptians wrote with hieroglyphics. (See Rosetta stone.)