hagiocracy

American  

[hag-ee-ok-ruh-see, hey-jee-] / ˌhæg iˈɒk rə si, ˌheɪ dʒi- /

noun

plural

hagiocracies

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

2. a state so governed.

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hagiocracy British  

/ ˌhæɡɪˈɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by holy men

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

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Etymology

Origin of hagiocracy

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?”

From Project Gutenberg

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

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.

From Project Gutenberg