📜 Arabic script style 📜 Ancient script

Kufic

1 9.9

Made in an old square style of Arabic writing used in early books and on buildings

adjective
/ˈkuːfɪk/

Specialized

: cúfico

The museum displayed a Quran written in beautiful Kufic script from the 8th century.

Examples

Many ancient artifacts feature inscriptions written in Kufic script, showcasing its historical significance.
Wow! Look at that stunning Kufic mural!
Scholars studied the Kufic inscriptions carved on the ancient mosque walls.
The artist incorporated Kufic calligraphy into her modern designs.
Look at that Kufic design on the wall!
The artist used Kufic style to create beautifully intricate decorations in the manuscript.
Calligraphers often study Kufic lettering to understand the evolution of Arabic script over the centuries.

Surface Forms

Kufic positive

Morphology

Kufic = Kufa (semi-transparent) = kufa + ic

Formally derived from the place name 'Kufa' plus the productive adjective suffix '-ic', but the specific association with a script style is historical and not predictable for learners unfamiliar with Kufa.

Etymology

Kufic is named after the Iraqi city Kufa, where this old, 'square' style of Arabic writing first grew. So, when you see Kufic as an adjective it means something has the early, angular Arabic look used in books and decoration.