{ Cu*ne"i*form (k?-n?"?-f?rm), Cu"ni*form
(k?"n?-f?rm), } a. [L. cuneus a wedge +
-form: cf. F. cunei-forme. See Coin.]
1. Wedge-shaped; as, a cuneiform
bone; -- especially applied to the wedge-shaped or arrowheaded
characters of ancient Persian and Assyrian inscriptions. See
Arrowheaded.
2. Pertaining to, or versed in, the
ancient wedge-shaped characters, or the inscriptions in
them. "A cuneiform scholar." Rawlinson.
{ Cu*ne"i*form, Cu"ni*form },
n. 1. The wedge-shaped
characters used in ancient Persian and Assyrian
inscriptions. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
2. (Anat.) (a) One
of the three tarsal bones supporting the first, second third
metatarsals. They are usually designated as external, middle, and
internal, or ectocuniform, mesocuniform, and
entocuniform, respectively. (b)
One of the carpal bones usually articulating with the ulna;
-- called also pyramidal and ulnare.