From Greek 'hierós' (sacred) + 'glýphein' (to carve) — the Greek perception that Egyptian temple carvings were sacred priestly script.
A stylized picture of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound, especially as used in the writing systems of ancient Egypt, the Maya, and other cultures.
From Late Latin 'hieroglyphicus,' borrowed from Greek 'hieroglyphikós' (ἱερογλυφικός), meaning 'of sacred carving.' The Greek compound joins 'hierós' (ἱερός, sacred, holy) and 'glýphein' (γλύφειν, to carve, engrave). The term was coined by Greek visitors to Egypt who observed the elaborate carved symbols on temple walls and tombs and assumed
The ancient Egyptians themselves called their script 'medu netjer' — 'words of god.' The Greek term 'hieroglyphic' was actually a fairly accurate translation of this Egyptian name, though the Greeks had no idea how the script actually worked and would not for another two thousand years.