Main Entry: hi·er·arch

Pronunciation: \ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrärk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English ierarchis, plural, from Medieval Latin hierarcha, from Greek hierarchēs, from hieros sacred + -archēs -arch

Date: 15th century

1 : a religious leader in a position of authority
2 : a person high in a hierarchy

— hi·er·ar·chal \ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kəl\ adjective