Sinogram

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A character used in Chinese writing systems that represents a morpheme or word
2. a single symbol in logographic writing systems that typically conveys meaning rather than sound
3. any of the traditional or simplified characters employed in the writing of the Chinese language

Etymology: The word "sinogram" is built from two parts: "sino-", from the Greek "Sinai" or Latin "Sinae", meaning China, and "-gram", meaning something written or drawn. Put together, it names a character from the Chinese writing system, where each symbol usually represents a syllable or a meaningful unit rather than a single sound. The compound is a plain technical formation, not a legend. The "sino-" element is a combining form that scholars and writers attach to many words about Chinese language, history, and culture, such as "Sinology," the study of China. The "-gram" ending, from Greek "gramma" meaning a letter or written mark, is the same one found in "telegram" and "diagram." So the word simply joins the name for China to the idea of a written sign.

Synonyms: Chinese character, logogram, ideogram, character, symbol