glyph

English

WOTD – 20 June 2007

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɡlɪf/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪf

Noun

glyph (plural glyphs)

  1. A figure carved in relief or incised, especially representing a sound, word, or idea.
    1. Any of various figures used in Mayan writing.
  2. Any non-verbal symbol that imparts information.
  3. (typography, computing) A visual representation of a letter, character, or symbol, in a specific font and style.
    The grid column header displays a sort glyph indicating an ascending or descending ordering.
  4. (architecture) A vertical groove.
  5. A land snail of the genus Glyphyalinia
  6. Any of various black-and-white noctuid moths with figural-like wing patterns, such as those in Protodeltote, Deltote, and Maliattha.

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See also