pon·tif·i·cate

[n. pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; v. pon-tif-i-keyt]
noun
1.
the office or term of office of a pontiff.
verb (used without object), pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing.
2.
to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
3.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
4.
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.

Origin:
1575–85; (noun) < Latin pontificātus; see pontifical, -ate3; (v.) < Medieval Latin pontificātus past participle of pontificāre to be an ecclesiastic; see -ate1

pon·tif·i·ca·tion, noun
pon·tif·i·ca·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To pontificate
00:10
Pontificate is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
Collins
World English Dictionary
pontificate
 
vb
1.  Also (less commonly): pontify to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner
2.  to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
 
n
3.  the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

pontificate
1818, "to act as a pontiff," from pp. stem of M.L. pontificare, from L. pontifex (see pontiff). Meaning "to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees" is from 1825.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Especially if one wishes to pontificate on fairness and opportunity.
When they pontificate, people listen.
Yet of course you want to pontificate without even taking a look at it.
All these people can write after the event and pontificate.
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