Cuneiform
/ˈkjuː.nɪ.fɔːrm/noun
An ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia, characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
Did you know?Cuneiform was used not only for record-keeping but also for magical texts and incantations, making it a powerful tool of ancient sorcery.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
PSem
*kʊna
“to establish or to create.”
Sumerian
Sumerian
𒁹𒉈𒉌𒊒 (kun)
“wedge.”
Akkadian
Akkadian
kūn
“to shape or form.”
Old Persian
Old Persian
𐎧𐎴𐎠𐎴 (kuni)
“to inscribe.”
Modern English
English
cuneiform
“wedge-shaped writing used in the ancient Near East.”