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hierarchy

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

hierarchy

Main Entry:: hi·er·ar·chy
Pronunciation:: \ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrär-kē also ˈhi(-ə)r-ˌär-\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural hi·er·ar·chies
Etymology:: Middle English ierarchie rank or order of holy beings, from Anglo-French jerarchie, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Late Greek, from Greek hierarchēs
Date:: 14th century

1: a division of angels2 a: a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above it; especially : the bishops of a province or nation b: church government by a hierarchy3: a body of persons in authority4: the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified5: a graded or ranked series <a hierarchy of values>

Learn more about "hierarchy" and related topics at Britannica.com

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