hierarchy

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hierarchy division of angels, etc. XIV; priestly or ecclesiastical rule XVI; body of ecclesiastical rulers XVII. ME. ierarchie, gerarchie (superseded by latinized forms in XVI) — OF. ierarchie, gerarchie (mod. hiérorchie) — medL. (h)ierarchia — Gr. hierarkhíā, f. hierárkhēs steward of sacred rites, high priest, f. hierós sacred, holy + -arkhēs, -arkhos ruling, ruler; see ARCH-, -Y3.
So hierarch ecclesiastical ruler XVI; archangel XVII. — medL. — Gr. hierarchical XV.

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