hieratic

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hi·er·at·ic / ˌhī(ə)ˈratik/ • adj. of or concerning priests: he raised both his arms in an outlandish hieratic gesture. ∎  of or in the ancient Egyptian writing of abridged hieroglyphics used by priests. Compare with demotic. ∎  of or concerning Egyptian or Greek styles of art adhering to early methods as laid down by religious tradition.DERIVATIVES: hi·er·at·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

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