Crossword clues for hierophant
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Hierophant \Hi*er"o*phant\ (h[-i]*[e^]r"[-o]*fant or
h[imac]"[~e]r; 277), n. [L. hierophanta, hierophantes, Gr.
"ierofa`nths; "iero`s sacred + fai`nein to show, make known:
cf. F. hi['e]rophante.]
The presiding priest who initiated candidates at the
Eleusinian mysteries; hence, one who teaches the mysteries
and duties of a religion or an arcane discipline; an
expositor; as, In his television series ``Cosmos'', Carl
Sagan became the foremost hierophant of modern cosmology..
--Abp. Potter.
Syn: mystagogue. [1913 Webster]
2. an advocate or spokesperson.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"expounder of sacred mysteries," 1670s, from Late Latin hierophantes, from Greek hierophantes "one who teaches the rites of sacrifice and worship," literally "one who shows sacred things," from hieros "sacred" (see ire) + phainein "to reveal, bring to light" (see phantasm). In modern use, "expounder of esoteric doctrines," from 1822.
Wiktionary
n. 1 An ancient Greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the (w Eleusynian Mysteries Eleusinian mysteries). 2 An interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge. 3 One who explains or makes a commentary.
Wikipedia
A hierophant is a person who brings religious congregants into the presence of that which is deemed holy. The word comes from Ancient Greece, where it was constructed from the combination of ta hiera, "the holy," and phainein, "to show." In Attica it was the title of the chief priest at the Eleusinian Mysteries. A hierophant is an interpreter of sacred mysteries and arcane principles.
Usage examples of "hierophant".
The identity of the Hierophant is a secret to everyone, I believe, but the greater gods.
By the time the Hierophant had finished his silent inspection, the gathered Elders were reduced to the status of quivering schoolchildren awaiting the slap of the ruler.
The difference was that the Hierophant made the power and potential destructiveness of the gods sound right, even entrancing.
The Hierophant knew that his casual attire drove Skyga crazy and did his best to make certain that the one from Highest Meru always had something to annoy him.
Then, after things went to hell in Central Park, the Hierophant was so confident, so certain we could turn apparent disaster into a major coup.
Tell me, Randall, have you ever considered why the Hierophant began spreading the teachings of the Church of Elish?
I have evidence that one of the Highest is allied with the Hierophant on this venture.
We had hypothesized that the Hierophant of the Church of Elish had to have some backing in Virtu.
Marduk interpreted this to mean that the Hierophant was certain that all was under control and relaxed.
With the Hierophant going on the talk circuit to explain that the entire idea was his greatest joke ever there will be no fancy talk getting us out of trouble this time.
The Hierophant gazed at him with deepset eyes and nodded, then turned to one of the maidens.
The Hierophant looked at me with his unblinking gaze, the way a hawk will, or a wolf, then turned to Kazan and addressed him in Caerdicci.
There was a hasty conference among the sailors as to what to do regarding the ship, and the Hierophant dispatched the maiden lole with instructions to bring the Illyrian-speaking Mezentius and a handful of fisherfolk from the village to aid in removing the injured men and hauling our damaged vessel ashore.
In one such, the Hierophant halted, raising his hand and addressing Kazan with great solemnity in Caerdicci.
Oeneus Asterius the Hierophant stood beside her, watching and listening too.