hierarchy
pronunciation
How to pronounce hierarchy in British English:
UK [ˈhaɪərɑːki]
How to pronounce hierarchy in American English:
US [ˈhaɪərɑːrki]
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- Noun:
- a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system
- the organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body
Word Origin
- hierarchy
- hierarchy: [14] Greek hierós meant ‘sacred, holy’. Combined with -arkhēs ‘ruling’ (as in English archbishop) it produced hierárkhēs ‘chief priest’. A derivative of this, hierarkhíā, passed via medieval Latin hierarchia and Old French ierarchie into Middle English as ierarchie (the modern spelling was introduced on the basis of the Latin form in the 16th century).At first the word was used in English for the medieval categorization of angels (into cherubs and seraphs, powers and dominions, etc), and it was not until the early 17th century that it was applied to the clergy and their grades and ranks. The metaphorical use for any graded system soon followed.
- hierarchy (n.)
- mid-14c., from Old French ierarchie, from Medieval Latin hierarchia "ranked division of angels" (in the system of Dionysius the Areopagite), from Greek hierarkhia "rule of a high priest," from hierarkhes "high priest, leader of sacred rites," from ta hiera "the sacred rites" (neuter plural of hieros "sacred;" see ire) + arkhein "to lead, rule" (see archon). Sense of "ranked organization of persons or things" first recorded 1610s, initially of clergy, sense probably influenced by higher. Related: Hierarchal; hierarchical.
Example
- 1. A strict hierarchy exists among the workers at fukushima .
- 2. Much of the established hierarchy is falling apart .
- 3. But they say the cracks in the hierarchy risk diminishing the circle of politicians whom the supreme leader trusts .
- 4. They maintain a hierarchy for survival , not for prestige or arrogance .
- 5. He has created a hierarchy largely determined by closeness to the wu clan .