hagiocracy

[hag-ee-ok-ruh-see, hey-jee-]

noun

plural

hagiocracies 

1. government by a body of persons esteemed as holy.

2. a state so governed.

hagiocracy

/ ˌhæɡɪˈɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by holy men

2. a state, community, etc, governed by holy men

Word History and Origins

Origin of hagiocracy¹

First recorded in 1840–50; hagio- + -cracy

Example Sentences

“When the Son-of-the-Snake,” inquired Birnier, who had learned as much of the hagiocracy as Mungongo knew, “hath taken up the Burden, wilt thou then drive Eyes-in-the-hands from the country?”

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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.

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The era of the "hagiocracy," of the supreme influence of the priesthood and the rigid adherence to the law, with an inflexible hostility to heathen customs, ensued.

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