hi·er·ar·chy

1. A body of persons having authority. 2a. Categorization of a group of people according to ability or status. b. The group so categorized. 3. A series in which each element is graded or ranked. 4a. A body of clergy organized into successive ranks or grades with each level subordinate to the one above. b. Religious rule by a group of ranked clergy. 5. One of the divisions of angels.

ETYMOLOGY: Middle English ierarchie, from Old French, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Greek hierarkhi, rule of a high priest, from hierarkhs, high priest. See hierarch....

hi·er·arch
1. One who occupies a position of authority in a religious hierarchy. 2. One who occupies a high position in a hierarchy: governmental hierarchs.

ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English jerarchis, hierarchs, from Medieval Latin hierarcha, dignitary, prelate, from Greek hierarkhs, high priest : hieros, holy; see eis- in Appendix I + -arkhs, -arch.