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

And he ran on, holding the piece of sugar-cane, like some hieratic figure holding a torch in a procession.

From Project Gutenberg

In consequence of its symbolical purpose this hieratic series is rather eclectic than cyclopdic in its character.

From Project Gutenberg

There are about eighteen pages of clear red and black writing in the Hieratic character.

From Project Gutenberg

When—he died his collections remained, and they still remain, as his record in the hieratic language of science.

From Project Gutenberg

But the exquisite grace of line is gone, as well as the hieratic calm of the expressions and the smiles.

From Project Gutenberg