1. hierarchy(n = noun.group) - a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system; "put honesty first in her hierarchy of values"
is a kind of series
is a part of scheme, system
has particulars: celestial hierarchy, data hierarchy, taxonomy
Derived form adjective hierarchical1
2. hierarchy(n = noun.group) pecking order, power structure - the organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body;
is a kind of organisation, organization
is a part of administration, brass, establishment, governance, governing body, organisation, organization
1. Dominion or authority in sacred things. [1913 Webster]
2. A body of officials disposed organically in ranks and orders each subordinate to the one above it; a body of ecclesiastical rulers. [1913 Webster]
3. A form of government administered in the church by patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops, bishops, and, in an inferior degree, by priests. Shipley. [1913 Webster]
4. A rank or order of holy beings. [1913 Webster]
"Standards and gonfalons . . . for distinction serve
Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees."
5. Any group of objects ranked so that every one but the topmost is subordinate to a specified one above it; also, the entire set of ordering relations between such objects. The ordering relation between each object and the one above is called a
"Classification schemes, as in biology, usually form
hierarchy, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a a system in which grades or classes of status or authority are ranked one above the other (ranks third in the hierarchy). b the hierarchical system (of government, management, etc.).
2 a priestly government. b a priesthood organized in grades.
3 a each of the three divisions of angels. b the angels.
Derivative:
hierarchic adj. hierarchical adj. hierarchism n. hierarchize v.tr. (also -ise).
Etymology:
ME f. OF ierarchie f. med.L (h)ierarchia f. Gk hierarkhia (as HIERARCH)