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hagiocracy

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

noun

, plural hag·i·oc·ra·cies.
  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
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hagiocracy1

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

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.

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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