H 
tn 
Hieroglyphs, from 
mummy-case in the 
Museum of Fine Arts, 
Boston, Massachu- 
setts. 
hierocracy 
The temple was a sort of priestly citadel, the fortress 
as well as the sanctuary of the hierocracy. 
Encyc. Brit., XXIII. 167. 
hierodule (hi'e-ro-dul), n. [< Gr. Iep6f, sacred, 
holy, + oolvlof,' a bondman, slave.] In Gr.ait- 
tiq., a slave dedicated to the service of a divin- 
ity ; a temple servant or attendant. Large num- 
bers of such slaves were attached to some foundations, 
and were either employed about the sanctuary or let out 
for hire for the profit of the god. 
Hierofalco (hi'e-ro-fal'ko), n. 
[ML. : see gerfalcon.'] A genus 
or subgenus of northern fal- 
cons ; the gerfalcons. 
hieroglyph (hi'e-ro-glif), n. [= 
D. hieroglief = G. hieroglyphr 
= Dan. Sw. hieroglyf, < F. 
hie'roglyphe = Pg. jeroglypho; 
< Gr. lepof, sacred, + yMM, a 
carving: see hieroglyphic.] 1. 
The figure of any object, espe- 
cially a familiar object, as an 
animal, tree, weapon, staff, 
etc., standing for a word, or 
a syllable, or a part of a sylla- 
ble, or a single sound ; a figure 
representing an idea, and in- 
tended to convey a meaning, 
thus forming part of a mode 
of written communication. The 
name was first applied to the engraved 
marks and symbols found on the mon- 
uments and other records of ancient 
Egypt. Of these, some signified directly the objects repre- 
sented by them ; others, conceptions suggested by those 
objects; others, ideas having names identical with or 
closely resembling the names of the objects represented ; 
others, part of the sounds composing those names, or even 
only their initial sounds these last being nearly a true 
alphabet, and used especially in writing proper names. 
The name, which had its origin in the idea that the sculp- 
tured symbols were exclusively sacerdotal, is now given to 
any writing of a similar character, as that of the ancient 
Mexicans, Peruvians, etc. 
If all the liirniglii/thi of the Egyptians had been A B C to 
you, still, if you did not know the anaglyph, you would 
know nothing of the true mysteries of the priest. 
Bulwer, Caxtons, vii. 7. 
2. Any figure, character, or mark having or 
supposed to have a mysterious or enigmatical 
significance. 
Fair Nature's priestesses ! to whom, 
In hieroglyph of bud and bloom, 
Her mysteries are told. W hittier, To . 
hieroglyph (hi'e-ro-glif), r. t. [< Gr. iepoyAv- 
i^siv, engrave hieroglyphics, engrave hieroglyph- 
ically, < JepoyAidof, a carver of hieroglyphics: 
see hieroglyph, n., hieroglyphic.] To write in hi- 
eroglyphs; represent by means of hieroglyphs. 
Above the hieroglyphed legend runs a narrow frieze. 
Harper'n Mag., LXV. 189. 
hieroglyphic (hi'e-ro-glif'ik), a. and n. [= F. 
hieroglyphique = Sp. geroglifico = Pg.jeroglifico 
= It. geroglijico, < LL. Itieroglyphicus, < Gr. tcpo- 
yfaxjHKos, hieroglyphic, neut. pi. TO. iepoy'kvtyiK.a 
(so. ypa/i[La.Ta), a form of inscriptions used for 
Egyptian sacred records, < ItpovMt^of, a carver 
of hieroglyphs, < icpof, sacred, -r yfafelv, hollow 
out, carve, engrave, write in incised charac- 
ters: see glyph.] I. a. 1. Expressed in hiero- 
glyphs ; written in or inscribed with symbolic 
characters: as, the kieroglyj>hic language of 
Egypt; h ieroglyphic records; a. hieroglyphic obe- 
lisk. 2. Mysteriously symbolic or emblem- 
atic; hard to decipher or interpret. 3. In 
entom., having distinct, irregular color-mark- 
ings, suggestive of Egyptian hieroglyphs : ap- 
plied to the elytra of certain Coleoptera, etc. 
II. n. Same as hieroglyph. 
As hieroglyphics were before letters, so parables were 
before arguments. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, li. 144. 
One of the most convenient hieroglyphics of God is a 
circle, and a circle is endless ; whom God loves, he loves 
to the end. Donne, Sermons, ii. 
Hieroglyphics old, 
"Which sages and keen-eyed astrologers . . . 
Won from the gaze of many centuries. 
Keats, Hyperion, i. 
hieroglyphics! (hi'e-ro-glif'i-kal), a. [< hiero- 
glyphic 4- -al.] Same as hieroglyphic. 
To this challenge the Scythian returned an hieroglyphi- 
cal answer ; sending a bird, a mouse, a frog, and five arrows. 
Raleigh, Hist. World, III. v. 4. 
Heurnius (I know not by what authoritie) saith that the 
Phueuicians, before the Israelites departed out of Egypt, 
used Hieroglyphicall letters. Purchan, Pilgrimage, p. 98. 
Pages no better than blanks to common minds, to his 
hieroglyphical of wisest secrets. J. Wilton. 
hieroglyphically (hi"e-ro-glif'i-kal-i), adv. In 
1 a hieroglyphic manner; emblematically. 
Others have spoken emblematically nn&hieroglyptiicattii. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iii. 12. 
2826 
hieroglyphist (hi-e-rog'li-fist), n. [< hieroglyph 
+ -ist.\ One versed in hieroglyphics. 
hieroglyphize (hi-e-rog'li-fiz), v. t.; pret. and 
pp. /iiV.Tm/////i/ii-frf,'ppr. hieroglyphi:ing. [< hi- 
eroglyph + -ize.] To reduce to a hieroglyphic 
form ; express by means of hieroglyphics. 
More admirable was that which they attest was found 
in Mexico. . . . where they hieroglyphic 'd both their 
thoughts, histories, and inventions to posterity. 
Evelyn, Sculpture, iii. 12. 
hierogram (hi'e-ro-gram), n. [< Gr. Icpuf, sa- 
cred, + ypd/i[ia,"& writing; at. hierography.] A 
hieroglyphic symbol ; a sacred ideograph. 
Facts are engraved hierogram, for which the fewest 
have the key. Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, p. 140. 
hierogrammat (hi"e-ro-gram'at), n. [< Gr. ifpo- 
-j pafifian i f , a sacred scribe: see hierogramma- 
teus.] A sacred scribe; specifically, a writer 
of hieroglyphics. 
The Hierogrammatg when they sought a more scrupu- 
lous transcription of 6 used the group [hieroglyph] th, 
which shows that originally the Greek - did not lend itself 
to the aspirated sound. Encyc. Brit., XL 798. 
hierogrammateus (hl''e-ro-gram / a-tu8}, n. [< 
Gr. tcpoypafifiarei-f, a sacred scribe, < tepof, sa- 
cred, + ypa/t/tarevf, a secretary or clerk.] In 
Gr. antiq., same as hieromnemon, 1 (a). 
hierogrammatic (hi*e-ro-gra-mat'ik), a. [< hie- 
rogrammat + -ic.] Written in or pertaining 
to hierograms ; belonging or relating to sacred 
writing. 
hierogrammatical (hi'e-ro-gra-mat'i-kal), a. 
[< hierogrammatic + -al'."] Same as hierogram- 
matic. 
The various uses of an alphabet in civil business not per- 
mitting it to continue long a secret, when it ceases to be 
so, they [the priests) would as naturally invent another al- 
phabetic character for their sacred use : which from that 
appropriation was called hierogrammatical. 
Warburton, Divine Legation, iv. 4. 
hierogrammatist (hl"e-ro-gram'a-tist), n. [< 
hierogrammat + -ist. Cf. hierogrammateus.'] A 
writer of hierograms ; a sacred writer. 
The other [sort of language and character was] used only 
by priests, prophets, hierogrammatistg, or holy writers. 
Oreenhill, Art of Embalming, p. 291. 
hierographer (hi-e-rog'ra-fer), n. fX Gr. iepo- 
jpd<t>of, a writer of sacred scripture (< tep6f, holy, 
+ ypayetv, write), + -er^.] A writer of, or one 
versed in, hierography. Bailey, 1731. 
hierographic, hierographical (hi'e-ro-graf- 
ik, -i-kal), a. [< Gr. iepoypcujtiKOf, for the repre- 
sentation of sacred things, of sacred scripture, 
< It poj paifiia, sacred scripture: see hierography.] 
Pertaining to sacred writing. 
hierography (hi-e-rog'ra-fi), n. [< Gr. Upoypa- 
<j>ia, the representation of sacred things, in pi. the 
sacred scriptures, < itpoypatyo<;, a writer of sacred 
scripture: see hierographer.] Sacred writing. 
[Rare.] 
hierolatry (hl-e-rol'a-tri), n. [< Gr. lepof, sa- 
cred, holy, + %arpcia, worship, < 'fjnpcvuv, v., 
worship.] The worship of saints or sacred 
things. Coleridge. 
hierologic, hierological (hr'e-ro-loj'ik, -i-kal), 
a. Of or pertaining to hierology. 
hierologist (hi-e-rol'o-jist), . [< hierology + 
-ist.] One versed in'hierology. 
hierology (hi-e-rol'o-ji), n. [< Gr. iepofoyia, 
sacred or mystical language, a benediction, < 
iepo/ldyof, one who gives the blessing^ lit. using 
sacred language, < (fpoc, sacred, + -/oy/o, < M- 
yeiv, speak : see -ology.] A discourse on sacred 
things; the science which treats of the ancient 
writings and inscriptions of the Egyptians, or 
a treatise on that science. 
hieromancy (hi'e-ro-man-si), n. [< Gr. Icp6f, 
sacred, + fiavreia, divination.] Divination by 
observing the objects offered in sacrifice. 
hieromartyr (hi"e-ro-mar'ter), n. [< Gr. *iepo- 
fiAprvp, kpofiaprvf ',' < tepof, sacred, + ftaprvs, la- 
ter /udprvp, a witness, a martyr.] In the calen- 
dar of the Greek Church, a martyr who was a 
priest or bishop. 
hieromnemon (hi*e-rom-ne'mon),n.; pi. hierom- 
nemones (-mo-nez). [< Gr. iepofivfiiujv, a., mind- 
ful of sacred things : as a noun, one of the dele- 
gates to the Amphictyonic Council at Delphi ; 
a magistrate who had supervision of religious 
matters, minister of religion; < Icp6(, sacred, 
+ /jvrjuwv, mindful: see mnemonic.] 1. In Gr. 
antiq. : (a) A sacred recorder ; a deputy of the 
more honorable class sent by an amphictyonic 
state to the Delphic Amphictyonic Council. The 
hieromnemones were selected by lot, and probably held 
office for life, the delegates of the other class, called pj/la- 
yorai, being elected for a term of office. Also called hiero- 
grammateui. (ft) The title of a class of priests in 
several Greek states, as Megara, Thasos, etc. In 
hierurgy 
certain states, as Byzantium, the hieromnemon 
was one of the chief magistrates. 2. In the 
Gr. Ch., one of the officials of the patriarchal 
see of Constantinople. He has the guardianship of 
the roll of bishops, and where there is no bishop he may 
admit lectors (anagnosts) and consecrate new churches. 
hieromonach (hi-e-rom'o-nak), n. [< Gr. iepo- 
ftovaxof, < iepS, sacred, + /wwa^of, a monk.] In 
the Gr. Ch., a monk who is also a priest. 
hieron (hi'e-ron), n.; pi. liiera (-ra). [Gr. Itp6v, 
ueut. of iepof, sacred: see hiero-.] In Gr. archceol.: 
(a) Any sacred place or consecrated site, in- 
closed or open. Hence (6) A chapel or shrine, 
(c) A sanctuary : (i) A temple,/>f more or less impor- 
tance. (2) A sacred inclosure or peribolos, often including 
temples, works of art of all kinds, buildings for visitors, 
a theater, places for assembly, a stadium, treasuries, etc. : 
as, the hieron of ^Bsculapius at Epidaurus ; the hieron of 
Zeus at Olympia ; the hieron of Apollo at Delphi. 
Hieronyma (hi-e-ron'i-ma), n. [NL., < Gr. iep&- 
w/tof, having a sacred name, < icpof, sacred, + 
bwfia, ovo/ja, name.] A genus of shrubs or slen- 
der trees belonging to the natural order Eu- 
phorbiacece, tribe Pnyllantliece, founded by Alle- 
mao in 1848, and the type of the old tribe Hie- 
ronymece. It is characterized by having apetalous dioe- 
cious flowers, the male flowers with companulate calyx, 
cupulate or cyathiform disk, and 2 to 5 stamens, the fe- 
male flowers with entire disk, 2-celled ovary, and styles 2 
to 3, short, 2-parted, and reflexed ; drupe 2-celled. or often, 
by abortion, 1-celled ; leaves alternate, often large, and 
entire. Ten species are known, all natives of tropical 
America. 
Hieronymese (hi*e-ro-nim'e-e), n. pi. [NL., < 
Hierouyma + -ece.j A tribe or subtnbe of plants 
of the natural order Euphorliacece, typified by 
the genus Hieronyma, founded by Miiller and 
employed by De Candolle in 1866. 
Hieronymic (hi'e-ro-nim'ik), a. [< Hieronymus, 
< Gr. 'Icpui'v/tw;, Jerome : see Hieronyma.] Of 
or pertaining to St. Jerome. 
Ceolfrid's Bible was to be Vulgate, Hieronymic in text, 
Augustinian in canon. The Academy, Jan. 19, 1889, p. 42. 
Hieronymite (In-e-ron'i-mit), n. [< ML. Hie- 
ronymita, (. L. (LL.) Bieronymus, Jerome: see 
Hieronymic.] A hermit of any order of St. Je- 
rome (Hieronymus). The principal order was estab- 
lished about 1370, by the Portuguese Vasco and the Span- 
iard Peter Ferdinand Pecha. They possessed three famous 
convents, Guadalupe, St. Just, to which Charles V. of Ger- 
many retired after his abdication, and the Escurial. They 
are now found only in America. In succeeding years there 
arose independent orders of Hieronymites, as the Hermits 
of St. Hieronymus of Lombardy, the Congregation of Fie- 
sole, etc., all of which are comparatively unimportant. 
liierophant (hi'e-ro-fant), n. [= F. hierophante 
= Sp. hierofante = Pg. hierophante, < LL. hiero- 
phanta, hierophantes, (. Gr. tcpo^avrjif, hiero- 
phant, < ifpof, sacred, + -^aiiv/f, < <fiaiveiv, show, 
explain.] In ancient Greece, a teacher of the 
rites of sacrifice and worship ; hence, a demon- 
strator of sacred mysteries or religious know- 
ledge ; a priest. 
In 1773 Burke made a journey to France. It was almost 
as though the solemn hierophant of some mystic Egyp- 
tian temple should have found himself amid the brilliant 
chatter of a band of reckless, keen-tongued disputants of 
the garden or the porch at Athens. 
J. Morley, Burke, p. 64. 
The illustrious family of Enmolpidae at Eleusls, who 
claimed descent from a mythic ancestor, Eumolpos, were 
hereditary hierophants of the Eleusinian mysteries. 
C. T. Newton, Art and Archaeol., p. IBS. 
hierophantic (hFe-ro-fan'tik), a. [< Gr. iepo- 
(jMvriKof, < ifpoQ&vrrif, hierophant: see hiero- 
phant.] Belonging or relating to hierophants, 
or to the office or duties of a hierophant. 
hieroscopy (hi-e-ros'ko-pi), w. [< Gr. itpoaKcmia, 
divination, < if/joOTtoVof, inspecting victims, a di- 
viner, < iepa, offerings, sacrifices, victims, neut. 
pi. of Iep6f, sacred, holy, + onoxtlv, view.] Divi- 
nation by inspection of the entrails of sacrifi- 
cial victims. 
Hierosolymitan (hr'e-ro-sol'i-mi-tan), a. [< 
LL. Hierosolymitanus, of Jerusalem, < L. Hiero- 
xoli/ina, < Gr. 'Iepoa6Av[ia, Jerusalem.] Of or 
pertaining to Jerusalem: as, the Hierosolymi- 
tan Council Hierosolymitan liturgy, Hieroso- 
lymitan group or familj (of liturgies), the ancient lit- 
urgy of Jerusalem, and those derived from it : namely, 
that of St. James, the Greek and the Syriac, about eighty 
other Syriac (Jacobite) liturgies, the Constantinopolitan 
liturgies of St. Basil and St. Chrysostom, and the Arme- 
nian liturgy. The Clementine liturgy is very similar to 
the Greek liturgy of St. James. 
hierurgyt (hl'e-rer-ji), . [Less prop, hierour- 
gy (cf. theurgy, metallurgy, etc.); \ Gr. lepovpyia, 
religious service, worship, or sacrifice, < lepovp- 
-yelv, perform religious rites, sacrifice, < iepovp- 
jof, a sacrificing priest, < Iep6f, sacred, + "epyeiv, 
work, perform: see work.] A holy work or 
worship. 
First our Tx>rd and Saviour himself, and then all priests 
from him, among all nations, consummating the spiritual 
