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hierarch

 - 2 dictionary results

hi⋅er⋅arch

  [hahy-uh-rahrk, hahy-rahrk]
Use hierarch in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who rules or has authority in sacred matters; high priest.
2. a person having high position or considerable authority.
3. one of a body of officials or minor priests in certain ancient Greek temples.
Origin:
1480–90; < ML hierarcha < Gk hierárchēs steward of sacred rites, equiv. to hier- hier- + -archēs -arch

Related forms:
hi⋅er⋅ar⋅chal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hierarch
hi·er·arch   (hī'ə-rärk', hī'rärk')   
n.  

  1. One who occupies a position of authority in a religious hierarchy.

  2. One who occupies a high position in a hierarchy: governmental hierarchs.


[From Middle English jerarchis, hierarchs, from Medieval Latin hierarcha, dignitary, prelate, from Greek hierarkhēs, high priest : hieros, holy; see eis- in Indo-European roots + -arkhēs, -arch.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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