pontifical

[ pon-tif-i-kuh l ]
/ pɒnˈtɪf ɪ kəl /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a pontiff; papal.
pompous, dogmatic, or pretentious: to resent someone's pontifical manner.

noun

(in the Western Church) a book containing the forms for the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies to be performed by bishops.
pontificals, the vestments and other insignia of a pontiff, especially a bishop.

Origin of pontifical

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pontificālis, equivalent to pontific- (stem of pontifex) pontifex + -ālis -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM pontifical

pon·tif·i·cal·ly, adverb un·pon·tif·i·cal, adjective un·pon·tif·i·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for pontificals

British Dictionary definitions for pontificals (1 of 2)

pontificals
/ (pɒnˈtɪfɪkəlz) /

pl n

mainly RC Church the insignia and special vestments worn by a bishop, esp when celebrating High Mass

British Dictionary definitions for pontificals (2 of 2)

pontifical
/ (pɒnˈtɪfɪkəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a pontiff, the pope, or a bishop
having an excessively authoritative manner; pompous

noun

RC Church Church of England a book containing the prayers and ritual instructions for ceremonies restricted to a bishop
See also pontificals

Derived forms of pontifical

pontifically, adverb