hierglyphic.html - n.
1 a chief priest.
2 an archbishop.

hierarchal adj. [med.L f. Gk hierarkhes f. hieros sacred + - arkhes ruler]

hierglyphic.html - 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)]

hierglyphic.html - adj.
1 of or concerning priests.
2 of the ancient Egyptian writing of abridged hieroglyphics as used by priests (opp. DEMOTIC).
3 of or concerning Egyptian or Greek traditional styles of art.
4 priestly.

hieratically adv. [L f. Gk hieratikos f. hieraomai be a priest f. hiereus priest]

hierglyphic.html - comb. form sacred, holy. [Gk hieros sacred + -O-]

hierglyphic.html - n.
(pl. -ies)
1 priestly rule.
2 a body of ruling priests. [HIERO- + -CRACY]

hierglyphic.html - n.
1 a a picture of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound, as used in ancient Egyptian and other writing. b a writing consisting of characters of this kind.
2 a secret or enigmatic symbol.
3 (in pl.) joc. writing difficult to read. [back-form. f. HIEROGLYPHIC]