hierophant

noun

hi·​ero·​phant ˈhī-(ə-)rə-ˌfant  hī-ˈer-ə-fənt 

1

: a priest in ancient Greece

specifically : the chief priest of the Eleusinian mysteries

2

a

: expositor

b

: advocate sense 2

hierophantic

ˌhī-(ə-)rə-ˈfan-tik 

(ˌ)hī-ˌer-ə-

adjective

Did you know?

Hierophant, hieroglyphics, and hierarch have a common root: hieros, a Greek word meaning "sacred." Hieroglyphics joins hieros with a derivative of glyphein, the Greek verb for "to carve." Hierarch, a word that can refer to a religious leader in a position of authority, joins hieros with a derivative of archein, meaning "to rule." Hierophant itself joins the root with a derivative of phainein, which means "to show." The original hierophants were priests of the ancient Greek city of Eleusis who performed sacred rites. In the 17th century, when the word was first documented in English, it referred to these priests. By the 19th century, English speakers were using the term in a broader sense. A hierophant can now be a spokesperson, a commentator, an interpreter, or a leading advocate.

Synonyms

• advocate
• advocator
• apostle
• backer
• booster
• champion
• espouser
• exponent
• expounder
• friend
• gospeler
• gospeller
• herald
• high priest
• paladin
• promoter
• proponent
• protagonist
• supporter
• true believer
• tub-thumper
• white knight

Examples of hierophant in a Sentence

as an early hierophant of birth control, Margaret Sanger had to face down often vehement opposition

Recent Examples on the Web

The number five also equates to the hierophant card in tarot, which is associated with spiritual guidance and learning. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin hierophanta, from Greek hierophantēs, from hieros + phainein to show — more at fancy

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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