pontificate
[ noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt ]
/ noun pɒnˈtɪf ɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt; verb pɒnˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt /
noun
the office or term of office of a pontiff.
verb (used without object), pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing.
to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.
Origin of pontificate
1575–85; (noun) < Latin
pontificātus; see
pontifical,
-ate3; (v.) < Medieval Latin
pontificātus past participle of
pontificāre to be an ecclesiastic; see
-ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM pontificate
pon·tif·i·ca·tion, noun pon·tif·i·ca·tor, nounWords nearby pontificate
pontific,
pontifical,
pontifical college,
pontifical mass,
pontificals,
pontificate,
pontifices,
pontil,
pontile,
pontine,
pontine angle tumor
Example sentences from the Web for pontificate
British Dictionary definitions for pontificate
pontificate
verb (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt) (intr)
to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner
Also (less commonly): pontify (ˈpɒntɪˌfaɪ)
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)
the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope