Cuneiform
volume
British pronunciation/kˈʌne‍ɪfˌɔːm/
American pronunciation/ˈkjuniəˌfɔɹm/

Definition & Meaning of "cuneiform"

Cuneiform
01

one of the earliest known writing systems in human history, characterized by wedge-shaped marks or symbols impressed on clay tablets using a stylus

What is "cuneiform"?

Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, developed by the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia around 3200 BCE. This writing system uses wedge-shaped marks made by pressing a stylus into soft clay tablets. Cuneiform originally represented pictographs, which evolved into symbols that conveyed sounds, words, and ideas. It was used for various purposes, including record-keeping, literature, and legal documents. As a versatile writing system, cuneiform adapted to several languages, such as Akkadian and Babylonian, making it a crucial tool for communication in ancient civilizations. Its significance in linguistics and history lies in its role in the development of writing and record-keeping, influencing many cultures over millennia.

cuneiform
01

of or relating to the tarsal bones (or other wedge-shaped bones)

02

shaped like a wedge

example
Example
examples
Early forms of writing, such as hieroglyphics and cuneiform, came before the invention of the alphabet.
Scholars deciphered the ancient cuneiform script on the clay tablet, revealing a hymn dedicated to the goddess Inanna.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, was written on a series of clay tablets in cuneiform script.
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