hierarch

[ hahy-uh-rahrk, hahy-rahrk ]
See synonyms for hierarch on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a person who rules or has authority in sacred matters; high priest.

  2. a person having high position or considerable authority.

  1. one of a body of officials or minor priests in certain ancient Greek temples.

Origin of hierarch

1
1480–90; <Medieval Latin hierarcha<Greek hierárchēs steward of sacred rites, equivalent to hier-hier- + -archēs-arch

Other words from hierarch

  • hi·er·ar·chal, adjective
  • an·ti·hi·er·ar·chal, adjective

Words Nearby hierarch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hierarch in a sentence

  • At the same moment, the grave, kind old hierarch stretched out his hands to take the sleeping baby from its mother's arms.

    Strange Stories | Grant Allen
  • The hierarch rose hastily and glanced into his dark keen eyes with an inquiring look.

    Strange Stories | Grant Allen
  • Will the hierarch and the elder brothers think I am strong enough and fit enough for the duties of the task?

    Strange Stories | Grant Allen
  • After breakfast, brother Eustace and the hierarch came sadly in their official robes into the lesser infirmary.

    Strange Stories | Grant Allen
  • But how could a hierarch of the State Church of Ireland fail to don its spirit with his mitre?

British Dictionary definitions for hierarch

hierarch

/ (ˈhaɪəˌrɑːk) /


noun
    • a person in a position of high priestly authority

    • a person holding high rank in a religious hierarchy

  1. a person at a high level in a hierarchy

Derived forms of hierarch

  • hierarchal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012