hiero-, hier- +

Pain in the sacrum (a reference to the os sacrum or the sacred bone; so called because it was thought never to disintegrate). The os sacrum is a large triangular bone formed by the fusion of the five sacral vertebrae at the base of the vertebral column and lying between the hip bones at the posterosuperior aspect of the pelvic cavity.

1. One who has rule or authority in holy things; an ecclesiastical ruler or potentate; a chief priest; a chief prelate, an archbishop.
2. Applied to an archangel; also to Christ, as commander of the celestial hierarch.

Of or belonging to a hierarch or a hierarchy.

1. Belonging to the angelic hierarchy.
2. Belonging to a priestly hierarchy, or body of ecclesiastical rulers.
3. According to a regular gradation of orders, classes, or ranks.

In the manner of a hierarchy; from a hierarchical point of view; in a graduated order.

Hierarchical practice and principles; hierarchical system.

An adherent or supporter of a hierarchy.

To arrange in a hierarchy or gradation of orders.

1. Rule or dominion in holy things; priestly rule or government; a system of ecclesiastical rule.
2. The collective body of ecclesiastical rulers; an organized body of priests or clergy in successive orders or grades.
3. A body of persons or things ranked in grades, orders, or classes, one above another; specifically, in natural science and logic, a system or series of terms of successive rank (as classes, orders, genera, species, etc.), used in classification.

1. A cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially the priests.
2. Adhering to fixed types or methods; highly restrained and formal: "The more hieratic sculptures leave the viewer curiously unmoved."
3. Written or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing: "Hieratic Egyptian script."
4. Associated with the priesthood or priests; that is, sacred, characterizing or used by priests: "Hieratic gestures."

"In some countries, priests form a hieratic group with extensive political power, and even, sometimes, forming a hierocracy."

5. Fixed, formal, and stylized in a traditional way, e.g. as ancient Egyptian art is.
6. Of or associated with sacred people or offices; sacerdotal.
7. Etymology: from Latin hieraticus, "priestly"; borrowed from Greek hieratikos, "priestly" and ultimately from hieros, "holy".

Papyrus of the finest quality, in ancient Egypt appropriated to sacred writings.

1. Characterizing or used by priests: "The hieratically sacred worship was performed as expected."
2. Referring to a simplified form of hieroglyphics.
3. A descriptive term for something that is very formal in style and adhering closely to those standards.

1. Government by church clergy or priests; ecclesiastical rule.
2. A body of religious clergy that rules a place or country.
3. Rulership by the church or by church officials.

1. A reference to the rule of priests or religious dignitaries; government by priests or ecclesiastics.
2. Descriptive term for a body of ruling priests or ecclesiastics.