pontifices
[ pon-tif-uh-seez ]
/ pɒnˈtɪf əˌsiz /
noun
plural of pontifex.
Words nearby pontifices
pontifical,
pontifical college,
pontifical mass,
pontificals,
pontificate,
pontifices,
pontil,
pontile,
pontine,
pontine angle tumor,
pontine flexure
Definition for pontifices (2 of 2)
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
Example sentences from the Web for pontifices
British Dictionary definitions for pontifices
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