hierocracy

American  

[hahy-uh-rok-ruh-see, hahy-rok-] / ˌhaɪ əˈrɒk rə si, haɪˈrɒk- /

noun

• hierocracies
  plural

1. rule or government by priests or ecclesiastics.

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hierocracy British  

/ ˌhaɪəˈrɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by priests or ecclesiastics

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hierocratic
  adjective
• hierocratical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hierocracies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hierocracy

First recorded in 1785–95; hiero- + -cracy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hierocracy

For under the last-named the secularisation of the hierocracy no longer presented any attractive aspects; it was wholly repellent.

From Prolegomena by Julius Wellhausen

And indeed this is the fatal result of every theocracy, for it can never really be anything but a hierocracy or rule of priests.

From Lectures on the Origin and Growth of Religion as Illustrated by the Native Religions of Mexico and Peru by Albert R?ville

The arbitrary proceeding of Joash did not well suit the ideas of an autonomous hierocracy.

From Prolegomena by Julius Wellhausen

But the student who carries back the hierocracy to these early times has still to learn the very elements of what is necessary to a true historical appreciation of Hebrew antiquity.

From Prolegomena by Julius Wellhausen

Here plainly lies the material basis of the hierocracy from which the royal throne was ultimately reached.

From Prolegomena by Julius Wellhausen