hiero-

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

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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. 2020

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