pontiff

[ pon-tif ]

/ ˈpɒn tɪf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pontiff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any pontifex.

any high or chief priest.

Ecclesiastical.

a bishop.
the Roman Catholic pope, the Bishop of Rome.

Origin of pontiff

1600–10; earlier pontife < French, short for Latin pontifex pontifex

Words nearby pontiff

pontian, pontianak, pontic, pontic mountains, pontifex, pontiff, pontific, pontifical, pontifical college, pontifical mass, pontificals

Example sentences from the Web for pontiff

But the current pontiff, for reasons one might fully understand, declined to meet the would-be papal assassin.

Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit |Barbie Latza Nadeau |December 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.

Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s' |Barbie Latza Nadeau |December 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
With more threats than ever on the Vatican, is the pontiff making a dangerous mistake?

Is The Pope Unprotected Now That He’s Fired the Head of the Swiss Guards? |Barbie Latza Nadeau |December 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He was released in 2010, and now wants to meet Pope Francis when the pontiff visits Turkey next week.

The Pope’s Risky Trip |Barbie Latza Nadeau |November 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

First, in his opening remarks yesterday, the pontiff towed a much more conservative line than his legion of new fans might expect.

Is Pope Francis Backpedaling on Gays? |Jay Michaelson |November 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He removed the final f from bailiff, mastiff, plaintiff and pontiff, but left it in distaff.

The American Language |Henry L. Mencken
There is already open war between the Pontiff and the French.

Letters of John Calvin, Volume II (of 4) |Jules Bonnet
The missive, however, never reached the pontiff to whom it was addressed.

The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa |Paul Barron Watson
"Obedience is holiness," the Pontiff said at last, with a sweep of his hand.

The Hill of Venus |Nathan Gallizier
The sequel proved that the Pontiff was wiser than the Vicar.

The Jesuits, 1534-1921 |Thomas J. Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for pontiff

pontiff

/ (ˈpɒntɪf) /

noun

a former title of the pagan high priest at Rome, later used of popes and occasionally of other bishops, and now confined exclusively to the pope

Word Origin for pontiff

C17: from French pontife, from Latin pontifex

Cultural definitions for pontiff

pontiff

Another name for the pope. Pontiff comes from a Latin word, meaning “bridge builder,” that was used as a title for some of the priests of ancient Rome.

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pontiff

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noun

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pontiff

noun

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noun

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