glyph

Everyday

1. A glyph is a picture or symbol used as a sign for a word, a sound or an idea, like an Egyptian hieroglyph or a Maya sign. tree →
2. In computers, a glyph is the shape drawn for a letter, number or symbol in a particular font. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons glyphs are carved on stones by ancient Egyptians and the Maya. In computing, the letter A looks different in each font: each look is a glyph. Emojis are glyphs too. Phrases: Maya glyphs, a carved glyph.

Examples

• The Maya carved glyphs on stone to record dates and kings. tree →
• Each Egyptian hieroglyph is a glyph. tree →
• The archaeologist tried to read the glyph on the pot. tree →
• This font has a funny glyph for the letter g. tree →
• A smiley face emoji is a kind of glyph. tree →
• We drew our own glyphs to write a secret message. tree →

Note

Rhymes with «cliff». Countable: one glyph, two glyphs. «Hieroglyph» is a special kind of glyph from ancient Egypt.