hierarchy -
n. (pl. -ies)
1 a a system in
which grades or classes of
status or authority are ranked one above the
other (ranks third in the
hierarchy). b the hierarchical system (of government, management, etc.).
2 a priestly government. b a priesthood organized in grades.
3 a each of the three divisions of angels. b the angels.
hierarchic adj. hierarchical adj. hierarchism n. hierarchize v.tr. (also -ise). [ME f. OF ierarchie f. med.L (h)ierarchia f. Gk hierarkhia (as HIERARCH)]
