hieratic
UK[ˌhaɪəˈrætɪk]US[ˌhaɪəˈrætɪk]
adj
Of or concerning priests, especially in ancient Egypt.
adj
Of or in the ancient Egyptian writing of abridged hieroglyphics used by priests.
adj
(in art) highly stylized or formal, in a manner reminiscent of ancient Egyptian priestly writing.
Morpheme Breakdown
hier
atic
hier
sacred
atic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'hieratic' is built directly upon the Greek root hieros, meaning "sacred" or "holy." This root is related to the Proto-Indo-European ish₂ros, also signifying "holy" or "powerful." The suffix -atic, a variant of -ic, attaches to form an adjective meaning "pertaining to." Thus, the literal construction yields "pertaining to the sacred." This logic perfectly explains its primary modern meanings: first, it described things pertaining to Egyptian priests, the sacred class; second, it specifically named the cursive script they used for religious and administrative texts (hieratic writing); and finally, by artistic extension, it describes a formal, stylized quality reminiscent of that ancient sacred script.
Analysis
Structure: hier (sacred) + atic (adjective suffix)
hier (from Greek hieros, meaning "sacred, holy, priestly"); atic (a variant of the English adjective-forming suffix -ic, from Latin -aticus, Greek -atikos, meaning "pertaining to, connected with").
Examples
The ceremony was conducted with hieratic solemnity.
Hieratic script was a simplified form of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
The figures in the mural were depicted in a rigid, hieratic style.