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hieratic

Pronunciation: /ˌhʌɪəˈratɪk/

Definition of hieratic

adjective

of or concerning priests:he raised both his arms in a 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

hieratical
hieratically

Origin:

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

hieratic in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of hieratic in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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