We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

Login Athens/Access Management Federation

X Close menu

Dictionary Language resources

hieratic

Syllabification: (hi·er·at·ic)

Pronunciation: /ˌhī(ə)ˈratik/

Definition of hieratic

adjective

of or concerning priests:he raised both his arms in an outlandish hieratic gesture
of or in the ancient Egyptian writing of abridged hieroglyphics used by priests. Compare with demotic.
of or concerning Egyptian or Greek styles of art adhering to early methods as laid down by religious tradition.

Derivatives

hieratically

Origin:

mid 17th century (earlier as hieratical): via Latin from Greek hieratikos, from hierasthai 'be a priest', from hiereus 'priest', hieros 'sacred'