pontifex
[ pon-tuh-feks ]
/ ˈpɒn təˌfɛks /
noun, plural pon·tif·i·ces [pon-tif-uh-seez] /pɒnˈtɪf əˌsiz/. Roman Religion.
a member of the Pontifical College, which was presided over by a chief priest (Pontifex Maximus).
Origin of pontifex
1570–80; < Latin: apparently literally, path-maker, equivalent to
ponti- (stem of
pōns) bridge, probably orig., path (see
pons) +
-fec- (combining form of
facere to make) +
-s nominative singular ending; the literal application is unclear
Words nearby pontifex
pontiac,
pontian,
pontianak,
pontic,
pontic mountains,
pontifex,
pontiff,
pontific,
pontifical,
pontifical college,
pontifical mass
Example sentences from the Web for pontifex
British Dictionary definitions for pontifex
pontifex
/ (ˈpɒntɪˌfɛks) /
noun plural pontifices (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌsiːz)
(in ancient Rome) any of the senior members of the Pontifical College, presided over by the Pontifex Maximus
Word Origin for pontifex
C16: from Latin, perhaps from Etruscan but influenced by folk etymology as if meaning literally: bridge-maker, from
pons bridge +
-fex from
facere to make