Cuneiform

Part of Speech

Adjective, Noun

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈkjuː.nɪ.fɔːrm/

Phonetic: KYOO-nih-form

Definitions

• (Adjective) Having the shape of a wedge.
• (Noun) A system of writing used in ancient Mesopotamia, consisting of wedge-shaped characters inscribed on clay tablets.

Usage Examples

• The cuneiform script was one of the earliest forms of written language.
• The fossilized leaves displayed a distinct cuneiform pattern.
• Archaeologists discovered ancient cuneiform tablets buried beneath the ruins.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin cuneus (wedge) and the suffix -form, meaning "having the shape of."

Synonyms

• Wedge-shaped
• Keiliform
• Triangular
• Angular

Antonyms

• Rounded
• Circular
• Oval
• Irregular

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈkjuː.nɪ.fɔːm/
• American English: /ˈkjuː.nə.fɔːrm/

Historical Usage

The cuneiform writing system was developed by the Sumerians around 3,100 BCE and was used for thousands of years across Mesopotamia, including by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

Cultural Nuances

Cuneiform was used for recording trade, laws, religious texts, and literature, such as the famous Epic of Gilgamesh. Its wedge-shaped symbols were pressed into soft clay tablets using a stylus.

More Information

As one of the earliest writing systems, cuneiform represents a significant milestone in human civilization. Though it eventually faded with the rise of alphabetic scripts, its discovery has provided historians with valuable insights into ancient cultures.