hieratic

[ hahy-uh-rat-ik, hahy-rat- ]

adjective

1. Also hieratical. of or relating to priests or the priesthood; sacerdotal; priestly.
2. noting or pertaining to a form of ancient Egyptian writing consisting of abridged forms of hieroglyphics, used by the priests in their records.
3. noting or pertaining to certain styles in art in which the representations or methods are fixed by or as if by religious tradition.
4. highly restrained or severe in emotional import:

   Some of the more hieratic sculptures leave the viewer curiously unmoved.

noun

1. ancient Egyptian hieratic writing.

hieratic

/ ˌhaɪəˈrætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to priests
2. of or relating to a cursive form of hieroglyphics used by priests in ancient Egypt
3. of or relating to styles in art that adhere to certain fixed types or methods, as in ancient Egypt

noun

1. the hieratic script of ancient Egypt

Derived Forms

• ˌhierˈatically, adverb

Other Words From

• hi·er·at·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·hi·er·at·ic adjective
• non·hi·er·at·i·cal adjective
• non·hi·er·at·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·hi·er·at·ic adjective
• un·hi·er·at·i·cal adjective
• un·hi·er·at·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hieratic¹

1650–60; < Latin hierāticus < Greek hierātikós pertaining to the priesthood, priestly, equivalent to hierā-, variant stem of hierâsthai to perform priestly functions (verbal derivative of hierós sacred; hiero- ) + -ikos -ic, with -t- by analogy with derivatives from agent nouns in -tēs ( athlete, athletic )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hieratic¹

C17: from Latin hierāticus, from Greek hieratikos, from hiereus a priest, from hieros holy

Example Sentences

There’s a larger Swiss showcase of drawings by the Symbolist painter Ferdinand Hodler, whose rhythmic, hieratic nudes boil down modern life into dreamlike erotic rituals.

From New York Times

His show, titled “Strobe,” was inspired by the designer’s recent trip to Egypt and featured models wearing hieratic headpieces that were a cross between a Dan Flavin sculpture and a display panel at Just Bulbs.

From New York Times

Hanging behind him, in a hieratic arrangement suggestive of altars, two carcasses of beef.

From Washington Post

The images were only applied in paint, but the hieratic texts were written in black or red ink and later traced, coarsely, with a knife.

From New York Times

Alongside the hieratic tableaux, I will long remember the virtuoso turns by solo performers, who gave this suprahuman work a human immediacy.

From The New Yorker