Spine with fluid (hieroglyph)



The ancient Egyptian hieroglyph of a Spine issuing fluid is Gardiner sign listed no. F40 for the animal spine, fluid falling from each end. Another hieroglyph, Gardiner F39 shows only half of the spine, -(referring to 'dignity', or 'to be revered').

The Spine with fluid hieroglyph is used in Egyptian hieroglyphs as a biliteral with the language value of Aw-(Au) and consists of the Egyptian vowel uniliterals of a, the vulture, Gardiner G1-(birds),  and w, the quail chick, Gardiner G43,

The use of the Spine with fluid hieroglyph is for words showing "length", as opposed to 'breadth', (Egyptian usekh-(breadth, width)-for example, the Usekh collar). Some example words for 'length' are: to be long, length, to extend, extended; and for to expand, to dilate, words like: joy, gladness, pleasure, delight.