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pontifical

 - 2 dictionary results

pon⋅tif⋅i⋅cal

  [pon-tif-i-kuhl]
Use pontifical in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a pontiff; papal.
2. pompous, dogmatic, or pretentious: to resent someone's pontifical manner.
–noun
3. (in the Western Church) a book containing the forms for the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies to be performed by bishops.
4. pontificals, the vestments and other insignia of a pontiff, esp. a bishop.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L pontificālis, equiv. to pontific- (s. of pontifex) pontifex + -ālis -al 1

Related forms:
pon⋅tif⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pontifical
pon·tif·i·cal   (pŏn-tĭf'ĭ-kəl)   
adj.  

  1. Relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a pontiff.

  2. Pompously dogmatic or self-important; pretentious.

n.  

  1. pontificals The vestments and insignia of a bishop.

  2. A book of forms for ceremonies performed by a bishop.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pontificālis, of a pontifex, from pontifex, pontific-, pontifex; see pontifex.]
pon·tif'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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