- hierophant (n.)
- "expounder of sacred mysteries," 1670s, from Late Latin hierophantes, from Greek hierophantes "one who teaches the rites of sacrifice and worship," literally "one who shows sacred things," from hieros "sacred," from extended form of PIE root *bha- (1) "to shine" (see ire) + phainein "to reveal, bring to light" (see phantasm). In modern use, "expounder of esoteric doctrines," from 1822.
- hierophantic (adj.)
- 1775, from Latinized form of Greek hierophantikos "pertaining to a hierophant," from hierophantes "expounder of sacred mysteries" (see hierophant).
