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  

/ ˌhaɪərəˈkrætɪk, ˌhaɪəˈrɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by priests or ecclesiastics

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hierocratical
  adjective
• hierocratic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• hierocracies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hierocracy

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

Example Sentences

Here we are face to face with the church of the second temple, the Jewish hierocracy, in a form possible only under foreign domination.

From Prolegomena by Wellhausen, Julius

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

From Tales of Bengal by Banerjea, S. B.

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 R?ville, Albert

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

From Prolegomena by Wellhausen, Julius

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

From Prolegomena by Wellhausen, Julius