hieratic

adjective

hi·​er·​at·​ic ˌhī-(ə-)ˈra-tik 

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

hieratically

ˌhī-(ə-)ˈra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of hieratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sienese painting represents a rupture in world art, breaking from Gothic flatness and hieratic Byzantine art. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

The men performing the task of mixing moved with slow hieratic movements of great deliberation. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 June 2024

The team also recovered amulets, pottery tools and ostraca—pieces of pottery—that feature hieratic inscriptions, or cursive hieroglyphics. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024

Using more of the petticoat’s crin to create a hieratic hat, Magugu likens the piece to a Nefertiti headdress. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2022

Ray films musical and dramatic scenes alike with dissonant clashes of elements in unbalanced compositions, sculptural gestures, and hieratic poses. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hieratic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• patriotic
• prebiotic
• probiotic
• prokaryotic