The Collaborative International Dictionary
Hierocracy \Hi`er*oc"ra*cy\, n. [Gr. "iero`s sacred + ? to be
strong, rule.]
Government by ecclesiastics; a hierarchy.
--Jefferson.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"rule or government by priests," 1794; see hierarchy + -cracy. Related: Hierocratic.
Wiktionary
n. Government by ecclesiastics.
Usage examples of "hierocracy".
There are members of the Hierocracy who are loyal to him, and they all have their own troops.
Archprelate dies, the Patriarchs of the Hierocracy gather in the Basilica.
Preceptors of the militant orders are indeed members of the Hierocracy, and the names of the current holders of those offices have been duly entered in the rolls of this body.
I pray you, my brother Patriarchs and dear guests, let us take our seats so that the Hierocracy may continue its empty deliberations.
In times past, the Hierocracy has been extremely reluctant to impose the stern and stringent requirements of this most extreme of measures, but the situation facing us is doubtless the severest trial facing our holy mother since the Zemoch invasion five centuries ago.
I who put the question before the Hierocracy, and, therefore, the responsibility is mine.
It was I who placed the question before the Hierocracy, and I will assist you.
Am I correct in assuming that it is the will of the Hierocracy that we send immediately for the Church Knights - and the armies of western Eosia as well - to come to our defence with all possible haste?
The scribes will then draw up suitable documents which each member of the Hierocracy will sign, transferring command of his personal detachment of church soldiers over to the militant orders for the defence of the city.
He looked back at the ranks of the Hierocracy, rising tier upon tier above him.
Therefore, without objection, the Hierocracy stands in recess until such time as this crisis has passed.
Delada would be able to report to the Hierocracy would be a highly suspicious conversation between Annias and an unnamed stranger.
We were fighting a delaying action in the meetings of Hierocracy, manipulating votes, kidnapping Patriarchs that sort of thing.
Once he reports what he heard to the Hierocracy, Annias will be expelled from the Church at the very least.
Krager repeat what he told us to the entire Hierocracy right after colonel Delada reports the conversation between Martel and Annias.