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.

hieratic pert. to a priestly class, (hence) of a style of ancient Egyptian writing. XVII. — L. hierāticus — Gr. hierātikós priestly, sacerdotal, f. hierâsthai be a priest, f. hiereús priest, f. hierós sacred.