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Cuneiform: meaning, definitions and examples

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cuneiform

 

[ˈkjuːnɪfɔːm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

ancient writing system

Cuneiform is an ancient writing system that was used in Mesopotamia. It consisted of wedge-shaped characters impressed on clay tablets and was one of the earliest forms of writing in the world. Cuneiform was primarily used for administrative and record-keeping purposes.

Synonyms

clay tablet script, wedge-shaped writing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cuneiform

Used in academic or historical contexts to refer to the ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia. This term is appropriate in discussions about archaeology, ancient history, or linguistics.

  • Cuneiform was used for various languages, including Sumerian and Akkadian.
  • The museum's exhibit features a collection of cuneiform tablets.
wedge-shaped writing

A more descriptive term that emphasizes the appearance of the symbols created by the cuneiform method. It is useful when explaining the visual characteristics of the writing to someone unfamiliar with the term 'cuneiform.'

  • Wedge-shaped writing was formed by pressing a reed stylus into soft clay.
  • The unique wedge-shaped writing can be identified on many ancient artifacts.
clay tablet script

Used when specifically describing the physical medium and method of writing in ancient Mesopotamia. It gives a more vivid image of how the writing was inscribed in clay.

  • Scholars have deciphered many aspects of the ancient civilization from clay tablet scripts.
  • The clay tablet script was a practical solution for record-keeping in ancient times.

Examples of usage

  • Scholars have deciphered thousands of cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia.
  • The scribes in ancient Babylon were trained to write in cuneiform.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'cuneiform' comes from the Latin 'cuneus', meaning 'wedge', reflecting the shape of the script's characters.
  • This writing system was used from around 3200 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia and evolved through various styles and languages over time.

Historical Significance

  • Cuneiform was one of the earliest systems of writing, enabling the recording of laws, trade transactions, and literature.
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known pieces of literature, was written in cuneiform on clay tablets.

Technology and Materials

  • Scholars used a stylus, often made of reed, to create cuneiform characters on soft clay tablets.
  • After writing, the tablets were baked in the sun or fired in a kiln to preserve the text for thousands of years.

Archaeology

  • The discovery of cuneiform tablets in places like Nineveh and Babylon has significantly expanded our understanding of ancient civilizations.
  • Many cuneiform tablets were unearthed during the 19th century, leading to the translation of languages like Sumerian and Akkadian.

Cultural Impact

  • Cuneiform influenced the development of other writing systems, including the Phoenician alphabet, which is a precursor to many modern scripts.
  • Cuneiform texts provide a rich source of information about the culture, economy, and daily life of ancient Mesopotamian societies.

Translations

Translations of the word "cuneiform" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cuneiforme

🇮🇳 क्यूनिफॉर्म

🇩🇪 Keilschrift

🇮🇩 kuniform

🇺🇦 клинопис

🇵🇱 pismo klinowe

🇯🇵 楔形文字

🇫🇷 écriture cunéiforme

🇪🇸 cuneiforme

🇹🇷 çivi yazısı

🇰🇷 설형 문자

🇸🇦 الكتابة المسمارية

🇨🇿 klinové písmo

🇸🇰 klinové písmo

🇨🇳 楔形文字

🇸🇮 klinasto pismo

🇮🇸 kínaletur

🇰🇿 бұрыштық жазу

🇬🇪 კუნიფორმი

🇦🇿 küniform yazı

🇲🇽 cuneiforme

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,587, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.