HIERATIC

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does hieratic mean? 

• HIERATIC (noun)
  The noun HIERATIC has 1 sense:

1. a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests

  Familiarity information: HIERATIC used as a noun is very rare.

• HIERATIC (adjective)
  The adjective HIERATIC has 3 senses:

1. associated with the priesthood or priests

2. written or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing

3. adhering to fixed types or methods; highly restrained and formal

  Familiarity information: HIERATIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HIERATIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

hieratic; hieratic script

Hypernyms ("hieratic" is a kind of...):

hieroglyph; hieroglyphic (a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hieratic"):

Demotic; Demotic script (a simplified cursive form of the ancient hieratic script)

Derivation:

hieratic (written or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing)

• HIERATIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Associated with the priesthood or priests

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

hieratic; hieratical; priestly; sacerdotal

Context example:

hieratic gestures

Pertainym:

priesthood (the body of ordained religious practitioners)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Written or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

hieratic Egyptian script

Pertainym:

hieratic (a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests)

Derivation:

hieratic (a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adhering to fixed types or methods; highly restrained and formal

Context example:

the more hieratic sculptures leave the viewer curiously unmoved

Similar:

nonrepresentational (of or relating to a style of art in which objects do not resemble those known in physical nature)

Domain category:

beaux arts; fine arts (the study and creation of visual works of art)