Do you speak a little Latin when you say 'hierophant'?

'Hierophant' is a word borrowed from Latin 'hierophanta'. The word entered the English language some time around 1677.

hierophant [noun] [1677]

• a priest in ancient Greece
• the chief priest of the Eleusinian mysteries
• expositor
• advocate

Meaning: a priest in ancient Greece; the chief priest of the Eleusinian mysteries; expositor.

Etymology: Late Latin hierophanta; from Greek hierophantes; from hieros + phainein to show fancy.

Topics: Religion:Faith.

Origin: From Latin to Greek to English.

note: Meaning: A chief priest or interpreter of sacred rites. Etymology: From Late Latin hierophanta from Greek hierophantes.

See 'hierophant' on the Loan Words Map

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See more loan words from 1600s.