This week's theme
Words relating to religion

This week's words
pontificate
colporteur
catholicity
hagiarchy
latitudinarian

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(HAG-ee-ar-kee, HAY-jee-)

MEANING:

noun: A government by holy persons. Also a place thus governed.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek hagi- (holy) + -archy (rule). Earliest documented use: 1826.

NOTES:

Two synonyms of this term are hagiocracy and hierocracy. Also, literally speaking, hierarchy is the rule of the high priest.

USAGE:

"Brazil's drug lords are altar boys compared with the Mexican and Colombian hagiarchy."
Mac Margolis; Brazil's New Drug Habit; Newsweek International; May 28, 2001.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: