hieratic
[ hahy-uh-rat-ik, hahy-rat- ]
/ ˌhaɪ əˈræt ɪk, haɪˈræt- /
adjective
Also hi·er·at·i·cal.
of or relating to priests or the priesthood; sacerdotal; priestly.
noting or pertaining to a form of ancient Egyptian writing consisting of abridged forms of hieroglyphics, used by the priests in their records.
noting or pertaining to certain styles in art in which the representations or methods are fixed by or as if by religious tradition.
highly restrained or severe in emotional import: Some of the more hieratic sculptures leave the viewer curiously unmoved.
noun
ancient Egyptian hieratic writing.
Origin of hieratic
1650–60; < Latin
hierāticus < Greek
hierātikós pertaining to the priesthood, priestly, equivalent to
hierā-, variant stem of
hierâsthai to perform priestly functions (verbal derivative of
hierós sacred; see
hiero-) +
-ikos
-ic, with
-t- by analogy with derivatives from agent nouns in
-tēs (cf.
athlete,
athletic)
OTHER WORDS FROM hieratic
Words nearby hieratic
hierarch,
hierarchical,
hierarchism,
hierarchize,
hierarchy,
hieratic,
hiero-,
hierocracy,
hierodeacon,
hierodule,
hieroglyphic
Example sentences from the Web for hieratic
British Dictionary definitions for hieratic
hieratic
/ (ˌhaɪəˈrætɪk) /
adjective Also: hieratical
of or relating to priests
of or relating to a cursive form of hieroglyphics used by priests in ancient Egypt
of or relating to styles in art that adhere to certain fixed types or methods, as in ancient Egypt
noun
the hieratic script of ancient Egypt
Derived forms of hieratic
hieratically, adverbWord Origin for hieratic
C17: from Latin
hierāticus, from Greek
hieratikos, from
hiereus a priest, from
hieros holy