hieratic

adjective hi·er·at·ic \ ˌhī-(ə-)ˈra-tik \

Definition of hieratic

1 : constituting or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing simpler than the hieroglyphic

2 : sacerdotal

3 : highly stylized or formal

hieratic poses

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hieratically

play \ˌhī-(ə-)ˈra-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of hieratic from the Web

This impact of Owens’s hieratic wife and muse, the golden-toothed, henna-tattooed Michele Lamy, is also omnipresent, not least because her unique cackling laugh, mixed into a show-reel soundtrack, rings through the exhibition.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "In Milan, Hamish Bowles Examines the Creative Mind With Exhibitions on Rick Owens and Ettore Sottsass," 22 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hieratic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hieratic

Latin hieraticus sacerdotal, from Greek hieratikos, from hierasthai to perform priestly functions, from hieros sacred; probably akin to Sanskrit iṣara vigorous

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First Known Use: 1669

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year