hierarch

[ hahy-uh-rahrk, hahy-rahrk ]

/ ˈhaɪ əˌrɑrk, ˈhaɪ rɑrk /

noun

a person who rules or has authority in sacred matters; high priest.

a person having high position or considerable authority.

one of a body of officials or minor priests in certain ancient Greek temples.

Nearby words

hielamon, hieland, hiemal, hier-, hieracosphinx, hierarch, hierarchal, hierarchic, hierarchical, hierarchism, hierarchize

Origin of hierarch

1480–90; < Medieval Latin hierarcha < Greek hierárchēs steward of sacred rites, equivalent to hier- hier- + -archēs -arch

Related formshi·er·ar·chal, adjectivean·ti·hi·er·ar·chal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hierarchal

Some of that must surely be because of tradition and formality, but there is also an element of the hierarchal at work.
Herman Cain's Power Suit|Robin Givhan|November 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The hierarchal Jewish state was a thorn in the flesh of the Roman statecraft that aimed at the unity of the empire.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology|Robert E. Park
Like Protestantism, it is a reform, which rejects a hierarchal system and does away with a priestly caste.
Nineteenth Century Questions|James Freeman Clarke
Such a state of opinion excludes the danger of priestcraft, and is opposed to all hierarchal pretensions.
Ten Great Religions|James Freeman Clarke

But they could not hold this power, because of lack of a complete organization of a hierarchal power.
The Spirit of God As Fire|D. Mortimore
The English Church had retained many of the forms of Rome, including its hierarchal system of priests and bishops.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11|Various

British Dictionary definitions for hierarchal

hierarch

/ (ˈhaɪəˌrɑːk) /

noun

a person in a position of high priestly authority
a person holding high rank in a religious hierarchy

a person at a high level in a hierarchy

Derived Formshierarchal, adjective

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

Word Origin and History for hierarchal (1 of 2)

hierarchal

adj.

1640s, from hierarch + -al (1).

Word Origin and History for hierarchal (1 of 2)

hierarch

1570s, from Medieval Latin hierarcha, from Greek hierarkhes "leader of sacred rites, high priest" (see hierarchy).