hierocracy

American

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

noun

PLURAL

hierocracies

rule or government by priests or ecclesiastics.

hierocracy British

/ ˌhaɪərəˈkrætɪk, ˌhaɪəˈrɒkrəsɪ /

noun

government by priests or ecclesiastics

"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

Other Word Forms

hierocratic adjective
hierocratical adjective

Etymology

Origin of hierocracy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The policing of this combined fortress, sanctuary, and treasure house was left, even to the power of life and death, in the hands of the Sadducean hierocracy.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

According to natural order, Vermont will emerge next, because least, after Rhode Island, under the yoke of hierocracy.

From Project Gutenberg

When a hierocracy has been firmly established its evolution always follows similar lines.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact that the missionaries are nearly all English puts a slight sufficient chasm between the spiritual and civil powers, and avoids that worst peril of these places—hierocracy.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023