hierarchical

[hahy-uh-rahr-ki-kuh l, hahy-rahr-]

adjective

of, belonging to, or characteristic of a hierarchy.

Also hi·er·ar·chic.

Origin of hierarchical

1425–75; late Middle English. See hierarch, -ical

Related formshi·er·ar·chi·cal·ly, adverban·ti·hi·er·ar·chic, adjectivean·ti·hi·er·ar·chi·cal, adjectivean·ti·hi·er·ar·chi·cal·ly, adverbnon·hi·er·ar·chic, adjectivenon·hi·er·ar·chi·cal, adjectivenon·hi·er·ar·chi·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Word Origin and History for non-hierarchical

hierarchical

adj.

1560s, from hierarchic + -al (1). Related: Hierarchically.