Ideograph: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
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ideograph

 

[ หˆaษชdiษ™หŒษกrรฆf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

writing system

An ideograph is a written character symbolizing the idea of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it. This concept is often associated with logographic writing systems, where symbols represent ideas or concepts rather than specific sounds. Ideographs are commonly found in various languages, notably in Chinese and Japanese scripts. They serve to convey meaning through visual representation, making them powerful tools for communication in cultures that rely on them.

Synonyms

character, glyph, logogram, symbol

Examples of usage

  • The Chinese language uses numerous ideographs.
  • Japanese kanji are a form of ideograph.
  • Researchers study ideographs in ancient texts.
  • Ideographs can transcend language barriers.
  • Ancient Egyptians used ideographs in hieroglyphics.

Translations

Translations of the word "ideograph" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ideograma

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค†เค‡เคกเคฟเคฏเฅ‹เค—เฅเคฐเคพเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Ideogramm

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะดะตะพะณั€ะฐะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚คใƒ‡ใ‚ชใ‚ฐใƒฉใƒ 

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท idรฉogramme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ideograma

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ด๋ฐ์˜ค๊ทธ๋žจ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑู…ุฒ ุชุตูˆูŠุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่กจๆ„ๆ–‡ๅญ—

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รญdeรณgram

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะธะดะตะพะณั€ะฐะผะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒ“แƒ”แƒแƒ’แƒ แƒแƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ideograma

Etymology

The term 'ideograph' comes from the Greek 'idea' meaning 'form' or 'appearance', and 'grapho' meaning 'to write'. The concept particularly emerged in discussions of written language systems that depict ideas through symbols rather than phonetic sounds. Historically, writing systems in ancient civilizations, such as Sumerian and Egyptian, utilized ideographs to convey complex ideas succinctly. In the modern context, the study of ideographs often relates to semiotics and the analysis of how symbols represent meaning in various cultures. These visual symbols have played a crucial role in the development of early writing and continue to influence contemporary communication methods.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,898, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.