cuneiform

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj

Having the form of a wedge; wedge-shaped, especially with a tapered end.
Written in the cuneiform writing system.

noun

An ancient Mesopotamian writing system, adapted within several language families, originating as pictograms in Sumer around the 30th century BC, evolving into more abstract and characteristic wedge shapes formed by a blunt reed stylus on clayen tablets.
A wedge-shaped bone, especially a cuneiform bone.

Pronunciation

/ˈkjuː.nɪ.fɔːm/ /ˈkjuː.ni.ɪ.fɔːm/ /kjʊˈneɪ.ɪ.fɔːm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-cuneiform.wav /kjuˈni.ə.fɔɹm/ /ˈkju.nɪ.fɔɹm/ /kjuˈneɪ.ɪ.fɔɹm/

Word forms

cuneiform cuniform cuneiforms

Etymology

Etymology tree New Latin cuneus Ancient Greek μορφή (morphḗ)der.? New Latin fōrma New Latin -fōrmis New Latin cuneifōrmisbor. French cunéiformebor. ▲ New Latin cuneifōrmisbor. English cuneiform From French cunéiforme or New Latin cuneifōrmis, from Classical Latin cuneus (“wedge”) + fōrma.

Synonyms

cuneal cuneiform bone precuneiform wedgelike wedge-shaped wedgy wedge-writing

Related words

Akkadian Accadian Old Persian Ugaritic

Derived words

ectocuneiform entocuneiform intercuneiform mesocuneiform noncuneiform protocuneiform cuneiformist

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