Definition of "hieroglyphics"

A change came o'er the spirit of Don Henriquez' dream; from political he turned scientific; and his superabundant activity found ample employment in deciphering the Egyptian hieroglyphics.

1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Last Chapter”, in Romance and Reality. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], page 329