hagiarchy

American  

[hag-ee-ahr-kee, hey-jee-] / ˈhæg iˌɑr ki, ˈheɪ dʒi- /

noun

plural

hagiarchies

1. hagiocracy.

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hagiarchy British  

/ ˈhæɡɪˌɑːkɪ /

noun

1. government by saints, holy men, or men in holy orders

2. an order of saints

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Etymology

Origin of hagiarchy

First recorded in 1820–30; hagi- ( def. ) + -archy

Example Sentences

Associated words: acolyte, hierarchy, hierocracy, hagiarchy, exeat, hierarchism, hierarchal, hieratic, hagiocracy, unfrock, ordain, ordination, sacerdotalism, pontificate, pontific, pontifical, priesthood, Holy Orders, priestcraft, priest-ridden, soutane, cassock, vestments, canonicals, rectory, incumbent. provincial words.

From Project Gutenberg

Then with the separation of Mexico and the other American colonies from Spain a more marked change was brought about in that direct communication was established with the mother country, and the absolutism of the hagiarchy first questioned by the numbers of Peninsular Spaniards who entered the islands to trade, some even to settle and rear families there.

From Project Gutenberg