hierarchy

Where does the word "hierarchy" come from? It comes from Greek hierarkhia, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1600s).

Hierarchy’s story begins in Greek: hierarkhia meant “sacred rule.” 'hieros', sacred, plus 'arkhein', to rule; Pseudo-Dionysius described nine ranks of angels. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as hierarchia. Applied to the ranks of clergy. It reached English by 1600s as hierarchy. Broadened to any system of ranks. Today, hierarchy means a system in which people or things are ranked one above another.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hierarkhia "sacred rule", 'hieros', sacred, plus 'arkhein', to rule; Pseudo-Dionysius described nine ranks of angels.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval hierarchia "church ranks", applied to the ranks of clergy.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s hierarchy "a system of ranking", broadened to any system of ranks.