Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Glyph Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔣
Add to dictionary

glyph

[ɡlɪf ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

symbol

A glyph is a symbol that is used in writing, often representing a character or letter. Glyphs can be found in various writing systems and are used to convey meaning.

Synonyms

character, letter, symbol.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
glyph

A glyph is used in typography or design to refer to an individual mark or character in a font or typeface. It often refers to decorative or specific graphical symbols.

  • The font designer created a new glyph for the ampersand.
  • The ancient text was carved with unusual glyphs.
symbol

Symbol is a broad term that refers to any mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or represents an idea, object, or relationship. This term can encompass letters, numbers, and other kinds of marks.

  • The heart symbol often represents love.
  • Mathematics uses many symbols to express equations and formulas.
character

Character usually refers to any single letter, number, or symbol used in writing or printing. It is often used in computing to refer to any entered text symbol.

  • Passwords must include at least one special character.
  • The string 'hello' consists of five characters.
letter

Letter refers specifically to the individual alphabetic elements used in writing. It is most commonly used when talking about components of the alphabet.

  • The letter 'A' is the first letter of the alphabet.
  • Please print your name in capital letters.

Examples of usage

  • The ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs as glyphs in their writing system.
  • The Chinese writing system consists of thousands of different glyphs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • Ancient Egyptians used glyphs in their writing system, known as hieroglyphs, which combined pictures and symbols.
  • The Maya civilization also used glyphs, creating a complex writing system that documented their history and culture.

Art

  • In modern art, artists use glyphs to express ideas and emotions in non-traditional ways, blending text with imagery.
  • Street art often includes glyph-like symbols to convey messages quickly and powerfully.

Technology

  • In digital design, glyphs are used in fonts to represent specific characters or symbols in a visually appealing way.
  • Unicode is a standardized system that includes thousands of glyphs, allowing for consistent character representation across different platforms.

Linguistics

  • Modern alphabets can be seen as a series of glyphs that work together to form words and convey meaning.
  • Linguists study glyphs to understand the evolution of written language and how symbols can translate speech into written form.

Origin of 'glyph'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'glyph' comes from the Greek word 'glyphein,' meaning 'to carve or engrave.'
  • It has been used in English since the 19th century to describe ancient symbols.

The word 'glyph' originated from the Greek word 'gluphein', meaning 'to carve'. It was first used in English in the mid-18th century to refer to a carved or sculpted symbol. Over time, the term evolved to encompass any symbol used in writing.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,477 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.