2 definitions
for hierarchical
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
hierarchic \hi`er*arch"ic\, hierarchical \hi`er*arch"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. hi['e]rarchique.]
Of or pertaining to a hierarchy; ordered in a hierarchy. --
Hi`er*arch`ic*al*ly, adv.
Syn: hierarchical, hierarchal.
[1913 Webster]
2. Pertaining to a transitive relation between objects by
which they may be ordered into a hierarchy; as, a
hierarchical relation.
[PJC]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
hierarchical
adj : classified according to various criteria into successive
levels or layers; "it has been said that only a
hierarchical society with a leisure class at the top
can produce works of art"; "in her hierarchical set of
values honesty comes first" [syn: hierarchal, hierarchic]
[ant: nonhierarchical]