hierophant

[ hahy-er-uh-fant, hahy-ruh-, hahy-er-uh- ]

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) an official expounder of rites of worship and sacrifice.
2. any interpreter of sacred mysteries or esoteric principles; mystagogue.

hierophant

/ ˈhaɪərəˌfænt /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) an official high priest of religious mysteries, esp those of Eleusis
2. a person who interprets and explains esoteric mysteries

Derived Forms

• ˌhieroˈphantic, adjective
• ˌhieroˈphantically, adverb

Other Words From

• hier·o·phantic adjective
• hier·o·phanti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hierophant¹

1670–80; < Late Latin hierophanta < Greek hierophántēs, equivalent to hiero- hiero- + -phántēs, derivative of phaínein to show, make known

Word History and Origins

Origin of hierophant¹

C17: from Late Latin hierophanta, from Greek hierophantēs, from hiero- + phainein to reveal

Example Sentences

The right hand is upraised and extended, being the reverse of that benediction which is given by the Hierophant in the fifth card.

From Project Gutenberg

He took upon himself to become its hierophant, and to infuse much that was peculiarly his own into it.

From Project Gutenberg

The name of the rabbi Akiba is preserved as a type of the hierophant of restored Judaism.

From Project Gutenberg

He tossed it on the table, and began searching another knocked-out hierophant.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus Moses, the perfect hierophant, had this perfect apprehension, and passed from intellectual love to holy adoration.

From Project Gutenberg