hiero-

Save This Word!

a combining form meaning “sacred,” “priestly,” used in the formation of compound words: hierocracy.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially before a vowel, hier-.

Origin of hiero-

<Greek hieró(s) holy, sacred

Words nearby hiero-

hierarchical, hierarchism, hierarchize, hierarchy, hieratic, hiero-, hierocracy, hierodeacon, hierodule, hieroglyphic, Hieroglyphic Hittite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hiero- in a sentence

Archimedes is said to have obtained the friendship and confidence of Hiero by the following incident.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8|Various
There are three fountains of water in the whole island of Hiero, wherein the fountain tree grows.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
Archimedes, who was overseer of the work, spent a whole year in finishing it, Hiero daily animating the workmen with his presence.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
In Sicily she preserved the most intimate alliance with Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, for fifty years.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2|Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.

How he laid the foundation of Hydrostatics is familiar to everyone, through the story of Hiero's crown.
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume I (of 2)|John William Draper

British Dictionary definitions for hiero-

hiero-

before a vowel hier-

combining form

holy or divinehierocracy; hierarchy

Word Origin for hiero-

from Greek, from hieros

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