ideographic

(i/dé-6-graf’ik), a. [= F. idéo- graph i que = Sp. ideogrdfico; as ideograph + -ic.| Representing ideas directly, and not through the medium of their names: applied specifically to that mode of writing which, by means of symbols, figures, or hieroglyphics, suggests the idea of an object without expre ing its name. All written signs are believed to haye been ideographic in their origin, as are the Chinese characters, and the hieroglyphics of the ancient Egyptians for the most part. The picture-writing of the Mexicans was found to have given birth toa. family of ideographic forms. H. Spencer, Universal Progre , p. 19. A few years ago a religious work was printed at Vienna in the Mikmak language, in which no le than 5701 tdeographic symbols are employed. Isaac Taylor, The Alphabet, I. 21.