'Hierophant' definitions:

Definition of 'Hierophant'

From: GCIDE
  • Hierophant \Hi*er"o*phant\ (h[-i]*[e^]r"[-o]*fant or h[imac]"[~e]r; 277), n. [L. hierophanta, hierophantes, Gr. "ierofa`nths; "iero`s sacred + fai`nein to show, make known: cf. F. hi['e]rophante.] The presiding priest who initiated candidates at the Eleusinian mysteries; hence, one who teaches the mysteries and duties of a religion or an arcane discipline; an expositor; as, In his television series "Cosmos", Carl Sagan became the foremost hierophant of modern cosmology.. --Abp. Potter.
  • Syn: mystagogue. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. an advocate or spokesperson. [PJC]